AT no recent period have the disastrous effects of storms been more severely than during the hurricane of the 2nd and 3rd December last.

Its results were felt, more or less, in all parts of the country. About 11 A.M. on the 3rd, the anemometer at the Royal Exchange, London, registered a pressure of 30 Ibs. to the square foot. During the gales of October last, a similar instrument at Greenwich registered 29 1/2 lbs., whilst the one at the Royal Exchange only showed a pressure of 18 Ibs. The barometric influences of the gale are given in another part of this Journal, p. 355.

At Wolverhampton, and throughout the black country, it blew on the 3rd December a perfect hurricane, causing immense damage to property.

But in order to realize, comparatively, the destructive character of the storm, we must turn our attention to the coasts of the British Isles, where it blew with unexampled fury for forty-eight hours ; and where it consigned to the deep many a goodly ship and her crew, causing destruction of property and loss of life to a truly appalling extent.

It is not our purpose in these pages to harrow up the feelings of the reader; nor is it our intention to dwell on the sad scenes of desolation of bereaved women and children rendered widows and orphans by this truly calamitous visitation of the storm of the 2nd and 3rd of December.

We shall therefore only lay before the reader a few simple statements of the services of the life-boats during the recent gales, as they reached the Institution from its zealous honorary secretaries on the coast, feeling assured that these facts will appeal with irresistible force to the sense.of duty on the part of many of our countrymen who have hitherto withheld from the life-boat cause their support.

It is supposed that upwards of two hundred vessels were wrecked during those two disastrous days, and that the loss of life was proportionately great.

It is, however, very gratifying to find that, owing to the gallant and persevering exertions of the crews of the boats of the LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, and that of the Ramsgate life-boat, two hundred and forty- sic persons were happily snatched, under God, from the numerous shipwrecks on various parts of our coast, as the following accounts and that on a previous page will show.

Our little illustration conveys faintly the character of the life-boat's work on a stormy night. She is but a little vessel to contend with a cauldron of sea, like that which was recently experienced at Holyhead and Bude Haven, but her rowers are stalwart, weather-beaten men, whose sacred object is to preserve human life, and who peril their own in that noble enterprise. The thing is altogether characteristic of our country — the build of the life-boat, her hardy crew, and her system of maintenance by voluntary contributions.

Well may foreigners shipwrecked on our coast recapitulate, on their return home, the great efforts made on the shores of the United Kingdom to succour them in the hour of their deep distress; and well may Englishmen in all parts of the world testify their high appreciation and thankfulness for the existence amongst us of an Institution simply and grandly designed for the " preservation of life from shipwreck," as its founders forty years ago described it. The Institution, we feel assured, does possess, and cannot fail to possess, the sympathies of the public, as long as it can publish records of deeds so valiant as those that marked the services of its life-boats on the 3rd and 4th of December last, and which are thus detailed:— " Bacton Abbey, Norfolk, Dee. 4.

"Yesterday," reports Mr. W. CUBITT, "we were visited with a terrific gale of wind from the N.W., accompanied by a very heavy surf on shore.

A vessel was observed passing the coast with loss of canvas, and unmanageable; and about 1 p M. she went on shore about a mile to the southward of Hasborough Lower Lighthouse. The Bacton lifeboat was launched to the assistance of the shipwrecked crew, and we bore away under sail for the wreck, which was five miles distant. On nearing the vessel we found that the Palling and Hasborough Coast-guard men were firing rockets over her to effect a communication; but owing to the fury of the storm they could not succeed in their endeavours. In the meantime the life-boat rapidly approached the vessel, and anchored within fifty fathoms of her. She then dropped down under the vessel's stern, and, after much difficulty, got alongside to leeward, and succeeded in rescuing the master, the pilot, and 12 of the crew.

The mate, who was under the influence of liquor, seemed bent upon his own destruction, and could not be induced to leave the ship, although we kept the boat alongside until the mainmast threatened to fall on us. The wretched man was repeatedly urged to come into the boat, but without avail.

We were then forced to slip the cable of the lifeboat, and afterwards reached the shore, all safe, but thoroughly drenched. The vessel proved to be the bark Ina, of North Shields, bound to Carthagena, with coals and coke. This is the first heavy gale that the life-boat has been out, under canvas, and she behaved so well that the crew are delighted with her. At 9 P.M. there was still a fearful sea on, and not a vestige of the vessel is now to be seen, as she has gone to pieces. Had the life-boat been one hour later in reaching the wreck, the probability is that every soul on board must have perished." " Tenby, Dec. 3.

"At daylight this morning," writes Captain DRUMMOND, H.C.S., " the weather being moderate, several fishing-boats went out to their lines.

Suddenly, about 9 A.M., it came on to blow a very severe gale of wind from N.N.W. The larger fishing-boats managed to reach the harbour before the height of the gale, but two of the smaller boats were obliged to let go their grapnels, and gradually drove to leeward. It soon became evident that unless prompt measures were taken, the boats and their crews would be lost; and the new life-boat was therefore immediately launched to their assistance. She made sail, and succeeded in getting the crew of 3 men of one of the boats on board. In the meantime the smack Emma, with 10 hands on board, seeing that the life-boat had gone to the rescue of the crew of the boat furthest to leeward, gallantly started off, and succeeded in rescuing the crew of the other boat." " Smlhport, Dec. 4.

"At daylight this morning," writes Captain BARTON, R.N., " during a strong westerly gale, a large vessel was seen aground on the Mad Wharf Sandbank, near Formby. The coxswain and crew of the life-boat at this place at once proceeded to Ainsdale, where the boat had been left on the previous evening. The life-boat was then transported three miles further along the coast, and launched to the assistance of the distressed sailors. On arriving alongside the vessel, it was found that the captain had cut away the foremast, and was in the act of cutting the mainmast away. Eight of the vessel's crew immediately jumped into the lifeboat, but the remainder were prevented from doing so by their captain. As there was great danger of the mainmast being cut away and falling on the life-boat, she was compelled to cast off and make for the shore, where she safely lauded the 8 men.

The Formby life-boat was afterwards seen making for the wreck, which had then hoisted signals of distress. She succeeded in taking off the remainder of the shipwrecked crew. The vessel proved to be the American ship David White Clinton, of New York, bound to Liverpool.

The Southport life-boat was also launched yesterday to the assistance of the schooner Virago, of Glasgow, which had grounded on the Trunk Hill Sandbank, about four miles from this place. It was blowing a perfect hurricane at the time. The life-boat was conveyed along the shore abreast of the vessel, and launched through a tremendous surf. When the life-boat was within a hundred yards of the distressed schooner, several of her oars were broken like so many matches; she was therefore compelled to return to the shore without accomplishing her humane mission. The vessel afterwards drove over the sandbank and grounded on the main land, and the crew were thus fortunately saved.

The Formby life-boat also attempted to put off to the assistance of a barque, but failed to reach her. The vessel's crew, however, landed at low water in safety.

" Swansea, Dec. 4.

Mr. A. STERRY states, " The gale has continued in Swansea with unabated force, and the life-boat has been of good service in rescuing the crew of 18 men of the barque Duke of Northumbet land, laden with copper-ore, which was on shore at the entrance of our harbour, and alongside which during the stormy night the life-boat had remained for some time with the view of saving the crew, if required. The crew of a Coast-guard boat also gallantly exerted themselves in rescuing the crew of an oyster-boat, which had been overtaken by the sudden squall." Skerries, Co. Dublin. Dec. 3.

Mr. H. A. HAMILTON reports:—" The lifeboat on this, station has this day rendered a most important service in saving several poor fellows and their craft from destruction. In the fury of the gale, a lugger was observed to be hoisting signals of distress. The life-boat was instantly launched through a high surf, and notwithstanding the utmost efforts of Mr. E. D.

ALTON, the chief officer of the Coast-guard and the crew, it took them an hour and a half, in the face of the heavy gale and high sea, to fetch the vessel.

She was the lugger Vigilant, of the Isle of Man, and was rapidly becoming unmanageable.

The life-boat put 4 hands on board to assist the crew, who were quite exhausted. The lugger was afterwards got under weigh, and subsequently brought safely into port, with her crew of 7 men.

In the absence of the life-boat, the poor men must have perished." Carnarvon, Dec. 4.

" The life-boat at Llandwyn, near this place, rescued yesterday," writes Mr. J. JACKSON, " during a hurricane, 4 men from the schooner Maria, of Amlwch, from London to that port.

The wreck had got on a sandbank in Carnarvon Bay. As soon as this was observed the life-boat was manned and launched. On nearing the vessel the anchor was dropped to windward, and the boat veered down to her. The life-boat was then made fast to the wreck, and the crew taken off and safely landed through the surf.

" This morning the gale continued, and the schooner Harry Russell, from Glasgow to Marseilles, was seen in Carnarvon Bay with a signal of distress flying. The same life-boat was at once launched to her assistance. Some of the lifeboat's crew and a pilot boarded the vessel, her own crew being nearly exhausted. They afterwards succeeded in bringing the vessel and her crew iuto Carnarvon." Barmouth, Dee 4.

" Last night," states Mr. J. JENKIN, " about eleven o'clock, a signal of distress was seen off this place. It was blowing at the time a strong gale from the N. W., with a heavy sea on shore.

The life-boat was immediately manned by 12 brave fellows, who rowed without faltering in the direction of the signal-light of distress, which had by this time been extinguished by the violence of the surf. On nearing the sandbank, a vessel was observed thereon. She proved to be the schooner Margaret and Jane, of Dublin, in ballast. The crew of 5 men were immediately taken on board the life-boat, and afterwards safely landed. The boat behaved admirably on the occasion." Partmadoc, Dec. 3.

Captain MATHEW writes:—"A schooner was observed reaching towards the beach near Ferrychain Head, Criccieth, this morning, about 11 o'clock. Half an hour afterwards, the wind at the time blowing a complete gale from W.N.W., the crew let go their anchor. The vessel was riding heavily, and was distant about a mile and a half from the shore. At twelve o'clock a signal of distress was seen flying from the main rigging, and she shortly afterwards parted from her anchor, and ran for the shore.

The Portmadoc life-boat was immediately got out, manned, and launched. She succeeded in getting alongside the ship, and put 4 men on board. The life-boat's crew assisted in anchoring her in safety, and took off her crew of 5 men, and landed them at Portmadoc. The vessel was the schooner Economy, of Portmadoc, from Middlesborough to Barmouth, with railway chairs." Penarth, Dec. 4.

" During a heavy gale of wind yesterday," reports Mr. J. B. BRYAN, " the ship Jupiter and the barque fillings came in collision in Penarth Roads.

The life-boat seeing signals of distress flying, put off immediately, and remained alongside until the vessels cleared. The crew of 8 men of the Jupiter at once jumped into the life-boat, on her going alongside, but they were afterwards persuaded to rejoin their vessel. The presence of the life-boat gave them confidence. The boat remained by the vessel about two hours." Eastbourne, Dec. 3.

" Yesterday morning," writes Mr. C. VERRAL, " during very stormy weather, two small boats went off to fish. Whilst thus engaged, a heavy gale sprang up from the W.N.W., during the prevalence of which one of the boats hoisted a signal of distress. The life-boat stationed here was thereupon at once launched, with a view of rendering assistance to the boats; but before reaching the scene of danger, both boats had been driven many miles to leeward, and ultimately succeeded in reaching the shore in safety. In coming ashore, the surf was so heavy that the mast of the life-boat was broken in two." Walmer, Dec. 4.

Captain CANNON, R.N., reports:—" Yesterday afternoon, during a heavy gale of wind, signals of distress were heard from the Gull Stream lightvessel, indicating a vessel in distress. At the same time a vessel was observed dragging her anchors, and driving towards the Goodwin Sands.

The coxswain of the life-boat at this place immediately mustered his crew, and launched the boat When near the vessel, the crew were observed in their long-boat, making for a Kingsdown lugger, which was near the vessel, but unable to go alongside.

The coxswain of the life-boat thought he heard cries proceeding from the vessel, and managed to hook on to her, but found no one on board but a poor dog, from which the cries had proceeded. The life-boat then made sail, and after having been afloat eleven hours, during the fearful night, arrived here. The crew were quite exhausted, and almost perished with cold. The vessel proved to be the galliot Cornelia, of Hanover.

Her crew of 4 men were safely landed at Kingsdown by the lugger Dauntless, of that place." Lytham, Lancashire, Dec. 4.

" A messenger arrived here soon after daylight this morning," writes Mr. J. EDMOSDSON, "from Southshore, a distance of six miles along the coast, with intelligence that a vessel was sunk off that place, and that the gale was so violent, and the sea so heavy, that none of their boats, being only ordinary open boats, could with safety approach her, and requested that the Lytham life-boat might be sent. The request was promptly attended to, and the life-boat proceeded at once to the scene of the wreck. On arriving, however, at the sunken vessel, none of her crew could be found, as they had doubtless all been washed overboard and perished during the frightful storm of the previous night. The vessel is supposed to be the smack John, of Liverpool, as a small board with that inscription upon it came on shore in the vicinity of the wreck." Holyhead, Dec. 4.

Captain PBIEST, R.N., reports :—" After a stormy and rainy night the wind shifted to N.W., and on the morning of the 3rd Dec. 1863, blew a hurricane. Many vessels got on shore from various causes. The life-boat was launched, and proceeded to their assistance; got ahead of one, a schooner, anchored; but the intense violence of the wind blew her to leeward, anchor and all, and she was unable to communicate, and had great difficulty in returning ashore. In the evening, still blowing a heavy gale, she again put off to the schooner Elizabeth, which had a signal of distress flying—having parted one chain,—and brought her crew on shore. At two in the morning of Dec. 4, it had moderated, and she again put off and rescued 44 men from three vessels.

The boat was damaged. This service was performed by a crew of harbourmen, pilots, &c.

The regular crew declined to go." Dec. 5.

" The hurricane reported in the return of services of life-boat, of yesterday's date, continued unabated well into the night. The weather having moderated, the life-boat was despatched at 2 A.M. ; brought on shore 23 men from the Canfiance ; then again put off, and brought ashore 19 men from the barque Elizabeth Morrow, next proceeded to the French schooner L'Esperance, and saved 2 men. She afterwards visited other wrecks, of which there were 16, involving a loss of about 18 lives. The boat is damaged." Bude Haven, Dec. 3.

" It has been a fearful day here," says a newspaper report:—" A large ship, dismasted, was observed at the north of Shark's Nose, supposed to be about ten miles distant. Captain WARD, R.N., of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, happened to be at Bude at the time on his tour of inspection. A heavy ground-sea, consequent on the late gales, was breaking along the coast, and it was anxiously considered whether the life-boat of the Institution stationed at Bude should make an attempt to reach the dismasted vessel. Some, practically acquainted with the terrible force of the sea on this coast, expressed their doubts of any boat living through the successive lines of breakers. However, it was ultimately determined to make the attempt, and a crew cheerfully volunteered, accompanied by Captain WARD, who took command of the boat for the occasion. Hopefully the crew pulled along the harbour to the reef of rocks in a line with the point of the breakwater, and then a bold and gallant struggle commenced.

Wave after wave was surmounted; each of more force than the previous one, every wave driving the boat somewhat shorewards; but the crew, with firm determination, strove boldly to advance.

The breakers seemed at this time to roll in with increased force, and the many faces on the shore showed anxiety for the issue. Gallantly, but slowly, the good boat went on, until she was caught by a huge wave just as it was toppling over. The boat and her crew were buried by the breaking wave. For a moment command was lost on her. Another wave advanced, broke into the boat over her quarters, smashed four oars on the larboard side, and knocked two of the crew overboard; one was immediately rescued, but the other got entangled among some ropes, and was saved with difficulty. As the heaviest seas had not been encountered, and two of the crew had received severe blows, it seemed hopeless to make a further attempt; and it was with a great sense of relief that those on shore saw the boat returning.

Every one felt that the crew had done all that could be expected of them, and that a further attempt to pass the frightful line of breakers with rocks everywhere to leeward except across the narrow entrance to the harbour, could not be justified. The vessel referred to remained up to Saturday afternoon at anchor off Knap, in Hartland.

A boat was seen to leave her on Friday morning, taking off part of the crew, who are supposed to have landed at Clovelly. She proved to be the ship Margaret Quayle, of Liverpool, laden with 1,600 tons of salt. She safely rode out the gales and was taken in tow by two tug-steamers, and conveyed to Cardiff on Sunday the 6th inst.

Fishguard, Dec. 5.

Mr. WM. VAUGHAN writes :—" A fearful gale has been raging on this coast since Thursday. On the afternoon of that day, the brig Dublin, of Dublin, was seen coming into the bay, and while endeavouring to reach the roadstead, where several vessels were lying at anchor, her foretopsail was carried away. Having no other topsail, the vessel became quite unmanageable, and rapidly drifted on to the rocks. Immediately the vessel was seen to strike, the life-boat was despatched to the rescue of the crew; but fortunately, they had succeeded in scrambling up the rocks, and afterwards in reaching the shore in safety.

Only thirty-five minutes elapsed from the time the life-boat left the boat-house until the crew landed on the beach, a distance of three miles.

Caistor, Norfolk, Dec. 4.

The Rev. G. W. STEWARD thus reports:—" The life-boat at this station was launched by the Caistor beachmen this day, about 8 A.M., when they proceeded through a good deal of heavy sea to a ] vessel seen from their look-out, with a signal of distress, and with her mainmast gone.

She was lying outside the Cross Sand on which the sea was breaking heavily, as well as on the inner Barber and Scroby Sands. After getting off, they for a time lost sight of the vessel, the wind blowing from W.N.W., and the weather being hazy. They got within a quarter of a mile of the vessel when the signal flag was hauled down, and it was perceived that a fishing-smack had come to her assistance. The beachmen were informed that the services of the life-boat were not required, and returned to the shore, which they reached about 2 P.M." The vessel proved to be the schooner Selina of Sandwich, in ballast.

Aberystwyth, Dec. 5.

Mr. J. WILLIAMS reports: — " News reached here this afternoon, by special messenger from Aberayron, a town about fifteen miles south of this place, that a large brig was out riding at anchor, with the masts cut away, and signals of distress flying. No boat from that neighbourhood could venture out to her, owing to the heavy sea running. Immediately we received this intelligence, the life-boat was despatched to the assistance of the vessel. She is out now and will probably remain out all night, the wind being dead against her.

" 10 0 P.M.—The night is pitch dark, and, it is I feared, the life-boat will not be able to fetch the vessel in time to be of any service, but up to this time nothing has been seen of her.

Dec. 7.

" In addition to the brief report which I forwarded on Saturday, I am happy to add that the life-boat has returned from her mission of mercy, having fairly won her laurels for the first time. The night having soon set in, and being pitch dark, the crew could see nothing whatever of the vessel supposed to be in distress, but they bravely held on until eleven o'clock, when they went in to Newquay, 20 miles from Aberystwyth.

They there heard of the position of the vessel; and were told that a boat from Newquay had boarded her, and had brought ashore the captain's wife and children. Early on Sunday morning the life-boat went off to the ship, and put 5 of her crew on board. After immense difficulty and great danger, they succeeded in bringing the ship and her crew safely into Aberystwyth.

The life-boat behaved admirably on this occasion, and the crew have unbounded confidence in her.

A great deal of anxiety prevailed throughout Saturday night and Sunday morning as to the fate of the life-boat as well as the ship, no tidings having been received of either; but when both returned to port, they were welcomed by hundreds of cheerful hearts. The vessel proved to be the brig Mary Anne, belonging to Scilly, bound from Dublin to Cardiff.

The following is a general list of the services of the Life-boats of the Institution from the 1st January to the 12th December of the past year (1863):— Ship Louisa, of Bristol 20 Barque Rubin, of Liverpool 12 Schooner Emily, of London—Saved vessel and crew 3 Smack St. Patrick, of Bangor 3 Barque Bonnie Dundee, of Dundee. 13 Smack Elizabeth, of North Berwick 4 Schooner Kezia, of Sunderland 6 Schooner Mary Anna, of New Quay 5 Schooner Panama, of Plymouth .. 8 Schooner Betsey, of Brixham 5 Brig Regalia, of Whitby 1 Brig Levant, of Bristol 10 Smack Britannia, of Ramsgate.... 4 Ketch Nevha, of Berwick 3 Brig Florence Nightinga Ze, of London 6 Schooner zores/'acfef.ofFalmouth 4 Schooner Vulcan, of Lyme Begis —Saved vessel.

Schooner Vigilant, of Kirkcaldy..

Barque Diadem, of St. John's .... 4 Ship Conflict, of Plymouth 1 Barque Wm. Bromham, of Glo'ster Schooner Cestrian, of Chester....

Barque St. Lawrence, of Liverpool —Saved vessel and 14 Schooner Sir Colin Campbell, of Whitby—Saved vessel and crew 6 Brig Marietta, of Lisbon 1 Ketch Snip, of Amsterdam.Assisted to save vessel and crew 5 Brigantine Arum, of Workingtou. 4 Schooner Guttia, of Palermo — Saved vessel and crew 30 Schooner Northern Lights, of Preston 4 Smack Gipsy, of Drogheda 4 Italian Brig Camofflino—Assisted to save vessel and crew 8 Barque Tarn-worth, of Skien, Norway , 17 Barque Providence, of Dantzic ... 7 Smack Saucy Jack, of Inverness.. 1 Pilot Boat, of St. Ives 7 Brig fheophilus, of Aberdeen.... 5 Barque Tna, of North Shields .... 14 Ship David White Clinton, of New York 8 Fishing-boate of Tenby 3 Schooner Margaret ana Jane, of Dublin 5 Barque Duke of Northumberland. 18 Fishing Boat, of Filey 2 Schooner Economy, of Portmadoc —Saved vessel and crew 5 Lugger Vigilant, of Peel—Saved vessel and crew 7 Ship Jupiter, of London—Assisted vessel and crew of eight men, after a collision Schooner Maria,, of Amlwch .,.., 4 Schooner Harry Russell, of Glasgow —Saved vessel and crew ... 6 Schooner L'Esperance, of Nantes . 2 Schooner Elizabeth, of Whitehaven 4 Barque Elizabeth. Morrow, of Glasgow 19 Barque Confiance, of Liverpool .. 23 Brig Mary Ann, of Scilly—Saved vessel and crew 8 Smack Lewis, of Campbeltown ... 3 Schooner Caledonia, of Preston Saved vessel Schooner Fame, of Maryport — Saved vessel and crew 5 Barque Graces, of Shields 15 Total 378 We also append a statement of the services rendered by shore-boats, and other means, for which the Society has granted rewards for saving 301 lives during the same period, as follows:— Brigantine John and Edwin, of Whitstable 4 Barque Pttdyona, of Glasson Dock. 11 Fishing-boat of Castletown, Ireland 1 Schooner Immanuel, of Hanover .. 1 Barque Sea Swallow, of Sunderland 7 Schooner Shelah, of Wexford 5 Shore-boat of Arranmore, Co. Donegal 3 Brig Maid of Kent, of Rochester .. 5 Barque Henri Sorensin, of Bordeaux 12 Ship Bois Rouge, of Nantes 6 Ship John H. Elliot, of New York . 55 Ship JT. S. Parsons, of New York .. 21 Fishing-boat of Greencastle, Co.

Donegal 3 Brigantine Ganymede, of Ipswich.. 6 I Sloop Francis, of Cardigan 3 Fishing-boat of Faha, Co. Cork .... 6 Brig Ph&nix, of Teignmouth 5 Sloop Swiss, of Tralee 2 Fishing-boat of Great Yarmouth... 1 Brig Faith, of Colchester 10 Ship Genoa, of Liverpool 11 Brig Alii, of Helsingfors 14 Ketch Helena, of Newport 4 Fishing-boat of Skibbereen, Co. Cork 2 Brig Alabama, of Gloucester 6 Brig Pelican, of Drogheda 5 Fishing-boat of Kenmare, Co. Kerry 2 Fishing-boat of Yarmouth, Isle of Wight 4 Schooner Wanderer, of Londonderry 5 i Fishing-boat, Queenstown, Ireland . 1 Shore-boat of Carlingford Lough, KHIoven 3 Sbip's-boat capsized off Deal 2 Fishing-boat of Thurso, N.B 1 Shore-boat of Hurst Castle, Hants 6 Brig Antigua Packet, of Liverpool 10 Customs' boat of Shields harbour . 5 Brigantine Arthur Leary, of Londo 11 Schooner Heinrich, of Strasland .. 1 Fishing-boat of Killard, Co. Clare. 3 Brig Lemnos 11 Brig ilarielta, of Lisbon 9 Total 301 Lives saved by Life-boats.. .3?8 Grand Total 619 GENERAL SUMMARY FROM IST JANUARY TO 12TH DECEMBER, 1863.

Number of Lives rescued by Life-boats, in addition to 13 vessels saved by them Amount of Rewards to Life-boat Crews . . . . .

Number of Lives saved by Shore-boats, &c. . . . » Amount of Rewards to the Crews of Shore-boats . . . .

Honorary Rewards:—Silver Medals . . . . . .

Votes of Thanks on Vellum and Parchment Total 15 24 39 £. s. d.

378 1,C09 18 2 301 241 9 0 679 £1,251 7 2 Since the beginning of the past year (1863), the Institution has also expended about 13,OOOZ. on its various life-boat establishments on the coasts of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

The number of lives saved either by the life-boats of the Society, or by special exertions, for which it has granted rewards, since its formation, is 13,530; for which services 82 Gold Medals, 733 Silver Medals, and 17,730Z. in cash, have been paid in rewards. The Institution has also expended 80,OOOZ. on-life-boats, life-boat transportingcarriages, and boat-houses.

CHORUS OF JACK TARS.

Ye Gentlemen of England, Who live at home at ease, To save poor shipwreck'd sailors From the dangers of the seas, Subscribe unto the Life-boat Institution, if you please.—Punch.