THURSDAY, 7th January, 1869. THOMAS CHAP- MAN, Esq., F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair.

Read and approved the Minutes of the previous Meeting, and those of the Finance and Correspond- ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees.

Read letter from His Grace THE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND, P.C., President of the Insti- tution, of the 7th Dec., stating that the volumes of the Life-boat Journal which had been presented to him by the Committee would be permanently kept in the library at Alnwick Castle.

Read letter from His Excellency The TURKISH AMBASSADOR, of the 5th Dec., expressing the thanks of the Imperial Government to the insti- tution for its co-operation in providing, through Messrs. FORRESTT, the Boat-builders to the So- ciety, four life-boats ordered by that Government.

Read and approved the Report of Captain DAVID ROBERTSON, R.N., the Assistant Inspector of Life-boats to the Institution, on his recent visit to the Kimeridge and Poole life-boat stations.

Also a Draft of the Annual Report and Financial Statement of the Society to the 31st Dec., and ordered the account-books of the Institution to be sent to Mr. G. C. BEGBIE, Public Accountant, for the usual yearly audit.

Read letters from ROBERT WHTTWORTH, Esq., and the Rev. E. HEWLETT, M.A., the Treasurer arid Hon. Sec. of the Manchester Branch of the Institution, stating that the Annual Meeting of that Branch on the 9th Dec., over which the Mayor had presided, had passed off in a very satisfactory manner.

A gentleman named Mr. ROBERT BARNES had at the meeting generously promised to present to the Society the cost of a Life-boat Station.— To be thanked.

Decided that the following illustration of a new vignette block for the Institution's writing-paper be substituted for that of the old Shipwreck block.

The sketch of the new block had been gratu- itously prepared and presented to the Society by Mr. EDWARD DUNCAN, the eminent marine artist.— To be thanked.

Reported the lamented death of the Rev. JOHN ! stairs life-boat in putting off, on the 2nd Jan., WILLIAMS, of Khoscolyn, who had, for many years, j in reply to signals of distress, during a gale been the Hon. Sec. of the life-boat station of the j from S.S.W. The life-boat proceeded out in tow- esteem and regard, and of their high appreciation , of the services which had been so ably rendered ! crew persevered and eventually succeeded in get- by Mr. LEWIS to the life-boat cause during a ting her safely out of her perilous situation, and she " proceeded on her voyage. As the life-boat was re- turning to the shore, the crew observed a vessel on the south part of the Cross Sand with a sig- nal of distress flying. Approaching her, they saw the ship's boat in the midst of the breakers on the sand, and, making all speed, they found the crew of the vessel in her, and rescued them, 8 in number, from their imminent peril. Some of the poor fellows were only half clothed, and their boat was almost swamped, for it had nearly filled three times, and must soon have sunk. The vessel the brig Elizabeth, of Blyth, and became Institution at that place.

Decided, that the deep sympathy of the Com- mittee be expressed to the family of the late Mr. WILLIAMS.

Read letter from Mr. THOMAS BROOKS, the artist, of Upper Phillimore Gardens, London, of , the 18th Dec., presenting, as his gift to the Insti- tution, and as a token of his respect for Mr. LEWIS, its well-known Secretary, a fine portrait of that gentleman.

Decided that Mr. CHAPMAN, the Deputy Chair- man, be requested to acknowledge, with many thanks, the receipt of this gratifying present, and that, as a further special mark of the Committee's period of eighteen years, his portrait be perma- nently hung up in the Board-room of the Insti- tution.

Also that a new 32-feet life-boat and trans- porting-carriage be placed at Drogheda, Ireland, in lieu of the old boat and carriage there, which had become unfit for further service. The new boat, like the old one, is called the Old George Irlam, of Liverpool, after a deceased eminent Liverpool merchant of that name, whose daughter had bequeathed 1,OOOZ. to the Institution, and who had expressed a desire to have a life-boat thus named, in memory of her late father.

Paid 2,127/. 17s. lid. for sundry charges on various Life-boat Establishments.

[The Special Contributions and Legacies of the past month will be found in the last Annual Report of the Society, published on the 1st April, 1869.] Voted 4151.18s. to pay the expenses of the under- mentioned life-boats of the Institution, in going off during heavy gales of wind, and saving the crews, consisting of 163 persons, of the following wrecked vessels :— Austrian barque Men 17 men saved.

Barque William Gillies, of Greenock 15 „ Schooner Vision, of Drogheda .... 5 ,, Ship Castilian, of London 18 „ Barque North Britain, of South- ampton 9 „ Brigantine Ino,of West Hartlepool, and fishing-lugger Hanger, of Great Yarmouth 17 „ Schooner Atlanta, of Kirkwall 11 „ Brigantine Jane, of Workington, and schooner Prudence, of Aber- ystwith 8 „ Dandy ia ,/eime Fanny, of St. Malo 5 „ Schooner Mail, of Alloa, vessel and crew of 6 „ Lugger Augustine, of Port 1'Abbe, vessel and her crew of 4 „ Fishing-coble, of Yarrow,vessel and crew of 2 „ Schooner Pioneer, of Exeter 4 „ Schooner Diamond, of Goole 3 „ Smack Castle, of Aberystwith 9 „ Austrian barque Pace 9 „ Brig Bilboa, of Seaham 6 „ Brigantine Hitena, of St. John's, i Newfoundland, vessel and 6 „ j Brig Flying Cloud, of Bideford ... 10 „ j [The particulars 6f these various life-boat ser- ! vices, and of the rewards granted in each case, i will be found detailed in the Annual Report of the ; Institution, published in April last.] i Voted 15J. to pay the expenses of the Broad- | of the steamer Renown, of London, and found a foreign barque in a dangerous position near the Goodwin Knoll buoy. She had been boarded by a fishing-smack, and the life-boat remained along- side until she was anchored in safety.

Also 61. 16». to pay the expenses of the Thorpe- ness life-boat in going off during a gale from S. by W., and rescuing 9 men from the brig Belle, of Sunderland, which was totally wrecked on the Sizewell Bank, off the Suffolk coast, on 2nd Jan.

Also V 1. to defray the expenses of the Caister large life-boat in going off, on the 3rd Jan., with the view of rescuing the crew of a foreign vessel which was observed in a dangerous position. En- couraged by the presence of the boat, the vessel's a total wreck. The weather was hazy, with a very heavy S.S.W. gale blowing.

Also 71. 5s. to pay the expenses of the Teign- mouth life-boat in putting off, on the 4th Jan., to the rescue of the crew of a vessel observed in dis- tress while trying to beat to windward to obtain the shelter of Babbicombe Bay. A heavy gale was blowing at the time from the S.W., with a conside- rable sea. Whilst the spectators on shore were watching her, a sudden squall struck her, and car- j ried away the mast. The life-boat was thereupon ] quickly launched, and while making for the wreck, the crew were seen to leave her in their own boat.

After a long and hard pull the life-boat succeeded in overtaking and rescuing them in a very ex- hausted state. The life-boat then made for home, but after an hour's hard pull, the crew, finding it impossible to make headway against the gale and heavy sea, made for Dawlish, where they landed the shipwrecked crew amidst the cheers of hun- dreds of people. The vessel proved to be the trawler Start, of Brixham.

Also 2257. Is. fid. to pay the expenses of the life-boats stationed at Caister, Campbeltown, West Wittering, Anstruther, Margate, K-ingsgate, Hauxley, Thorpeness, Aldborough, Salmoaih, Drogheda, Plymouth, Castletown, Pakefield, Southport, Margate, Sutton, Yarmouth, liraunton, Kingsdowne, Castletown, and North Deal, in either assembling the crews or putting off in reply to signals of distress from various vessels, which subsequently got out of their dangerous positions without the assistance of the life-boats.

Reported the services of the Ramsgate life-boat Bradford, in going out in tow of the steam-tug Aid, and rescuing, with much difficulty, the master of the schooner Gaepard, of St. "Malo, which was wrecked during a heavy gale of wind on the Goodwin Sands on the 3rd Jan.

Also the services of the Yarmouth large life- boat, in putting out during a gale of wind on the 3rd Jan., and assisting to save the barque Fiere- mosca, of Genoa, and her crew of 13 men. The vessel was observed in Yarmouth Roads with sig- nals of distress flying, and on boarding her she was found in a sinking state. Her anchors and chains were then slipped, and she was run on the beach. She was subsequently got safely into Lowestoft harbour.

Voted 71. to the crew of the Kesingland Beach- men's Salvage life-boat, for going off in reply to signals of distress during a fresh gale from the S.S.W., and saving the crew of 5 men of the schooner Admiral Jervis, of Gravesend, which was totally wrecked on the south end of the Newcome Sand, on the 10th Dec. last. Voted also 3/. to some women who assisted to launch the boat on the occasion.

Also 21. to DANIEL COURTNEY, boatman at the Carnsore, Co. Wexford, Coastguard station, in acknowledgment of his gallant services in wading into the surf and saving 3 men belonging to the brigantine Thomas of Cork, which was stranded, and afterwards became a total wreck, off Carnsore Point, on the night of the 11th Dec. last.

Thursday, 4th Feb.—THOMAS CHAPMAN, Esq., F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair.

Read and approved the Minutes of the previous Meeting, and those of the Finance and Correspond- ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees.

Read and approved the Report of the Assistant- Inspector of Life-boats to the Institution on his recent visits to Lynmouth, Weymouth, Brooke, and Brighstone Grange.

Reported the receipt of 703J. 10s. from the Members of the London Coal Exchange, to defray the cost of a life-boat station.

To be thanked, and decided that the Southwold large life-boat be appropriated to the Subscribers, and be named the London Coal Exchange.

Decided, on the application of the local residents and on the Report of Capt. WARD, H.N., the In- spector of Life-boats, to take into connection with the Institution the Montrose Life-boat Esta- blishment, which had been under the management of the Harbour Board, and to replace the pre- sent boat by a new life-boat, 33 feet long, and a transporting-carriage. The Merchants of Minc- ing Lane had just presented to the Society 1305Z. 4s. 4rf. to defray the cost of this life-boat station, and to assist in its permanent maintenance.

— To be thanked.

The other Special Contributions and Legacies received during the month of Jan. will be found in the Annual Report, published on the 1st April last.] Reported the transmission to their stations of the Lynmouth and Weymouth life-boats, and that local demonstrations had taken place with the boats on the 20th and 26th Jan. respectively, that in connection -with the last-named boat being of a most imposing character.

Decided also, on the application of the local residents, and on the Report of the Inspector of Life-boats to the Institution, to form a life-boat station at Mevagissey, Cornwall.

The Secretary, Mr. LEWIS, reported that he had been to Penzance on the 23rd Jan. to assist at the distribution of the Rewards presented by the Society to the crew of the life-boat at that place, for their gallant services on the 6th Dec., in saving 9 men from the barque North Britain, of Southampton. ( Vide p. 231.) Mr. LEWIS stated that, as he had beeninformed, the Meeting was one of the largest and most enthusiastic ever held in that town.

Produced a Copy of a Circular which had been issued by the Committee for Managing the Affairs of Lloyd's to their agents in the United Kingdom, requesting that when service had been rendered by | life-boats to vessels in their districts, the agents would report the name of the boat, her station, 11 the coxswain's name, and whether she belonged to the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTIOS.— To be thanked.

Decided that the special thanks of the Institu- tion be presented to G. B. M. BEATSON, Esq., late Inspecting Officer of Coastguard at Fraserburgh, N.B., in acknowledgment of his long and valuable co-operation in assisting in the management of the life-boat of the Society on that station. Mr. BEATSON had previously received the Institution's j Silver Medal, Second Service Clasp, and Vellum j Thanks, in admiration of his intrepid services in the Fraserburgh life-boat on different occasions.

Paid 1764/. 0«. Id. for sundry charges on various Life-boat Establishments.

Voted 15/. 7s. to pay the expenses of the Pad- : stow life-boat in putting off, during a gale of wind I from W.N.W., and in a very heavy sea, and i rescuing 6 men belonging to the brigantine | Thomas, of Poole; also 8 men from a small boat i which had capsized in endeavouring to save them, i and the crew of 6 men of the French schooner Alexandrine, of Pornie, all of which were wrecked on the Doom Bar Sands, off Padstow, on the 15th Jan.

Also 151. 9s. to pay the expenses of the South- ; wold large sailing life-boat, in going off and i rescuing the master and 3 men of the schooner Lord Coke, of Middlesborough, which had sunk on the Sizewell Bank during squally and thick weather on the 15th Jan.

Also 251. 10s. to defray the expenses of the Lowestoft life-boat, in putting off and saving the crew of 8 men from the ship Queen of the Tyne, which was totally wrecked on the Corton Sands I in a gale of wind from S.W. and heavy sea, on the i 29th Jan. When the life-boat reached the sand, I before daylight, the vessel was found on her I beam-ends, the crew having taken refuge in the ; rigging. From the position in which the vessel ! lay it was a work of great risk to board her, she j being on the most dangerous part of the sand, and j the seas being very heavy. However, the rescue ! was nobly and safely accomplished, the men being taken into the boat from the main-top-gallant yard, which at times it was feared would have i gone through her, as she and the vessel rose I and fell together. It was a most narrow escape for the poor shipwrecked men, for they would ' probably all have been lost as the flood-tide made, had not the life-boat promptly gone out to them.

Also 151. to pay the expenses of the Yarmouth large life-boat in going off, during a gale of wind, on the 31st Jan., to the assistance of the barque Liebertas, of Genoa, which was totally wrecked on the Scroby Sand. The life-boat remained by the wreck some time, and then took off the crew of 13 men and a pilot, and brought them safely ashore.

Reported the services of the Ramsgate life-boat in going off in tow of the steam-tug Aid, and saving the crew of 7 men from the schooner Chaften IVinkel, of Aalborg, which was wrecked during a strong gale from the S.E. on the Goodwin Sands, on the 15th Jan.

Also the services of the same life-boat and steamer in putting off, on the 24th Jan., during a gale of wind, to the barque Lady Westmoreland, and brig Carl, of Rostock. The crew of 7 men of the latter vessel were rescued by the life-boat, and brought safely ashore.

Also the services of the Cadgwith life-boat in putting off, in reply to signals of distress from a vessel near the Manacles Rocks, during a whole gale of wind from W.N.W., on the 29th Jan. On arriving alongside she proved to be the brig Veritat, of Antwerp, in possession of 3 French fishermen who had found her abandoned off Scilly the previous day. Some of the life-boat men boarded the vessel, and, with the assistance of two steamers, she was eventually got safely into Falmouth Harbour.

Also the services of the Hayling Island life-boat in putting off, in reply to signals of distress from the barque Lady Westmoreland, of Newcastle, which, owing to the darkness and thick weather, had grounded on a dangerous shoal near the Church Rocks, inside the Nab Light, on the 1st Feb. As the tide rose she bumped heavily and started her deck planks, the masts being momen- tarily expected to go by the board. When the life-boat reached her the crew had prepared to quit the ship, expecting that she would soon break up. The life-boat men boarded the vessel and, after great exertion and fatigue, the anchor was slipped, and she was extricated from her perilous position. The life-boat was reported to have behaved admirably on the occasion. The vessel had a crew of 18 men, all told.

Voted the Silver Medal of the Institution, and 31., to Mr. JAMES CROWDEN, Chief Officer of Coast- guard at Muchals, N.B.; '21. to ROBERT FIFE, and II. each to 5 other men, in acknowledgment of their gallant services in putting off in a coble, at great risk of life, during a gale of wind, and saving 4 men from the schooner Kinloss, of Aber- deen, which was wrecked off Scatraw Fishery Creek, on the 21st January.

Also 1351. Is. 6d. to pay the expenses of the life- boats at Ramsey, Braunton, Anstruther, Walmer, Dungeness, Thorpeness, Skegness, Mundesley, Porthleven, Looe, Caister, Lowestoft, Ballycotton, Mullion, and Whitburn, for various services during the heavy gales of January.

Also a gratuity of 51. to EVAS THOMAS, the second coxswain of the Aberystwith life- boat, whose hand had been badly crushed in assisting, in the life-boat, to save the crew of 3 men of the smack Cattle, of Aberystwith, on the 24th Dec. last.

Also a reward to a fisherman named JOHN AN- DERSON, of Pittenween, for his services in running along the rocks, and heaving a line, which having been secured to a boat, was the means of rescuing, during squally weather, the crew of 4 men of the wrecked schooner forth, of Aberdeen, on the 13th Jan. Thursday, 5th March. THOMAS CHAPMAN, Esq., F.R.S., V.P., in the Chair.

Read and approved the Minutes of the previous Meeting, and those of the Finance and Correspond- ence, and Wreck and Reward Sub-Committees.

Read and approved the Report of the Inspector of Life-boats of the 27th Feb., on his recent visits to Montrose, Aberdeen, Whithorn, Liverpool, New Brighton, Llanelly, Pembrey, Penarth, and Barry.

Also the Reports of the Assistant Inspector of Life-boats of the 20th and 24th Feb., on his visits to the following places on the Southern and South- Eastern Coasts:—Sandown, Bembridge, Hayling Island, West Wittering, Selsey, Worthing, Shore- ham, Brighton, Newhaven, Margate, Broadstairs, Kingsgate, Kingsdowne, and Dover.

Read letter from the Secretary of the Admiralty of the 22nd Feb., stating, in reply to the Insti- tution's application, that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty were prepared in regard to the Coast-guard service to continue to extend most cheerfully to the Institution every possible co- operation on the coast.

Read letter from the Right Hon. EDWARD CARDWELL, M.P., Her Majesty's Principal Secre- tary of State for War, of the 20th Feb., stating that the War Department would have pleasure in presenting to the Institution six twelve-pounder carronades complete for the purpose of signalling on occasions of wrecks, and for assembling the life-boat crews.

Decided, on the application of the local resi- dents, and on the Report of the Inspector of Life- boats, to form a life-boat station at Alderney.

Reported that the EARL OF STRAFFORD, P.C., the donor of the Weymouth life-boat, had pro- mised to present to the Institution the cost of a boat and carriage for Alderney.— To be thanked.

Read letter from Mr. SAMUEL SHAWCROSS, the Secretary of the Ancient Order of Foresters, of the 17th Feb., stating that they had now in hand 427/. 11s. Sd. towards the purchase of a second life-boat.

Arrangements were being made to exhibit the boat at Sunderland in August next.

Reported that the life-boat house at Llanelly had been completely destroyed l y the late severe gales.— Ordered the house to be rebuilt.

Reported also that the boat-houses at the fol- lowing places had been injured by the late gales : —Llanddwyn, Buddon Ness, Silloth, Tramore, Poolbeg and Whitehaven.— Ordered the houses to be repaired.

Reported also that SIR THOMAS and LADY BAR- RETT LENNARD, who had organized an Amateur Dramatic Club, called the Belhus Dramatic Corps, were about to give entertainments at differ- ent places in order to raise the cost of a life-boat to be presented to the Institution. One of these performances had taken place with great success at St. George's Hall, Langham Place. — To be thanked.

[The Special Contributions and Legacies received by the Institution during the month of February are given in the last Annual Report of the Institution, published on the 1st April, 1869.] Bead letter from Mr. ADAM BEARMAN, of Southampton, of the 3rd Feb., calling attention to his plan of life-boat.— To be acknowledged.

Decided that the thanks of the Institution, in-scribed on Vellum, be presented to Rear-Admiral ' J. W. TARLETON, C.B., late Controller-General of i the Coastguard, in acknowledgment of his valu- ! able and zealous co-operation while holding that ; important office.

Also that the Society's thanks on Vellum be given to Captain GEORGE WODEHOUSE, R.N., late Deputy-Controller General of the Coastguard, who had rendered the Institution important ser- i vices during the period he held that appointment.

{ Paid 1,636Z. 3s. 1 d. for sundry charges on various life-boat establishments.

Voted HI. 10s. to pay the expenses of the Thorpeness life-boat in going off during a strong S.W. gale and in a heavy sea on the 8th Feb., and saving the crew of 8 men from the barque Selina, of Falmouth, which was totally wrecked near the Misner Haven Coastguard station. Attempts were made to rescue the crew by means of the rocket apparatus, but without success.

Also 12?. 9s. to pay the expenses of the Maryport life-boat in putting off on the 7th Feb., and bringing safely ashore the crew of 7 men of the brig Robert Bruce, of Belfast. This vessel in attempting to get into Maryport fell to leeward and struck the ground to the northward of the harbour, and although the anchors were let go, she beat up into the surf. The sea made a clean breach over her, and the crew, being afraid she would capsize, cut away the masts. The life-boat soon got alongside and grappled the vessel, but the surf was so heavy that it straightened the grapnel iron, as it tore the boat away. The second time the rope was broken in the same way, but eventually they succeeded in taking off the ship-wrecked crew; although not before the vessel had actually begun to break up, and the floating masts and yards had rendered it very dangerous for the boat to near the wreck.

Also 61. 6s. to pay the expenses of the Thurso life-boat in putting off and bringing safely ashore the crews, consisting of 7 men, of the schooners William Thomson, of Dumfries, and Blossom, of Thurso, which were in distress during a W.N.W. gale in Scrabster Roads, on the 15th Feb. The crew of the William Thomson, left their vessel in their own boat, fearing she would founder, and had afterwards got on board the Blossom.

Also 61. 12s. to pay the expenses of the Thurso life-boat in putting off on the 26th Feb., and bringing safely ashore the crews, consisting of 12 men, from the schooners Elizabeth Miller, of Thurso, and Matilda Calder, of Findhorn. The crew of the latter vessel, on the weather moder- ating, were again placed on board their ship by the life-boat, but the following morning it blew a perfect hurricane, and signals of distress were seen from the vessel. The life-boat thereupon went off and again brought the crew ashore.

Also 161. 3s. 6d. to pay the expenses of the Mar- gate life-boat in going off and rescuing the crew of 4 men from the schooner Friends, of West Hartlepool, which was totally wrecked near Mar- gate jetty, during a hurricane from N.N.W. and in a very heavy sea on the 12th Feb. The life- boat sustained some damage in performing this service.

Also ICtf. 12s. to pay the expenses of the Win- chelsea life-boat in putting off on the 15th Feb.

during a strong W.S.W. wind and in a heavy sea, in reply to signals from a vessel in distress off Bye. The life-boat succeeded in taking off the crew of 8 men and in landing them in safety. The vessel soon after became a total wreck. She was the brig Pearl, of Shoreham.

Also 151 to pay the expenses of the Caister large life-boat, in going off, during a strong E. by N.

wind, and saving the crew of 20 men from the ship Hannah Pettersen, of Bergen, which parted from her cables, and drove on shore on Yarmouth Beach on the 22nd of February.

Also 20?. 18s. to pay the expenses of the North Deal life-boat, in putting off, in reply to signals of distress from the Gull Light ship, during stormy weather, on the 21st February. On arriving at the Goodwin Sands, the life-boat found the ship Jngrie, of Amsterdam, stranded near the Trinity Beacon, on the east part of the sands. At the re- quest of the captain, the life-boat remained along- side, and afterwards brought ashore 9 of the vessel's crew. Three luggers' crews made every exertion to save the ship, but without success, and she eventually became a total wreck.

Also 14/. 10s. to pay the expenses of the Lowes- toft life-boat, in putting off, in reply to signals of distress, during a heavy N.N.W. gale on the 3rd March, and bringing safely ashore from the schooner Anna Louisa, of Rye, the crew of 8 men of the schooner Amelia, of Torquay, the latter vessel having been wrecked on the Holm Sand on the Suffolk coast.

Also 6l. to pay the expenses of the Lowestoft life-boat in putting off, during a gale of wind on the 1st February, to the schooner Horace E. Bell, of Bideford, which was observed on shore on the Gorton Sand. On arriving alongside, the vessel was found abandoned by her crew, but a dog and a cat being found in the cabin, they were brought ashore in the life-boat. The vessel's crew suc- ceeded in reaching Yarmouth in their own boat.

Reported the services of the same life-boat, in going off on the 13th February, in reply to signals of distress, during a heavy N. E. gale, from a vessel in the Roads, near Corton Gatway. The life-boat succeeded, with the assistance of a | steamer, in getting the vessel and her crew safely : into harbour. She proved to be the brig Beatrix, j of Whitby.

1 Also the services of the Caister life-boat, in 1 going off, in reply to signals of distress, and ren- dering assistance to the stranded barque Eliza ', Caroline, of London, which had grounded on the i West Scroby Sand, during stormy weather, on the i night of the 15th February. The Yarmouth and Scratby life-boats also put off to the assistance of the same vessel.

Also the services of the Ramsgate life-boat, in conjunction with the steam-tug Aid, in putting off on the evening of the 12th February, in reply to numerous signals of distress in the neighbourhood of the Goodwin Sands. The wind had shifted from a southerly to a north-westerly direction, and in a few minutes a terrific gale sprang up, which eventually became a perfect hurricane.

The suddenness of the gale took the shipping in I the roadstead quite unprepared. The fury of the i hurricane lasted about three hours. The Rams- ; gate life-boat Bradford, after three attempts, suc- ] ceeded in rescuing 11 men from the ship Highland ' Chief, of London, which had drifted on the Good- ' win Sands. As the life-boat was returning to the I shore before daybreak, she fell in with an aban- doned schooner, the Tavistock, of Plymouth, which i she succeeded in bringing safely into harbour.

i Reported that the Cadgwith life-boat was launched early on the morning of the 9th Feb. in a very heavy gale of wind, and proceeded under i canvas to the assistance of a large ship which was observed with bowsprit and foremast gone, and in a disabled state, about seven miles to the S.S.E.

of that place. After some difficulty, on account I of much loose wire-rigging, broken suspended ; spars, and a heavy sea, the boat came up under ' the quarter of the vessel. She was the ship ' Calcutta, of London, which, while proceeding to ; the Persian Gulf with telegraph cable, and when i about 150 miles south-west of the Lizard, had : been disabled by collision with the Prussian barque Emma, of Memel. The life-boat suc- i ceeded in taking off 8 men. The captain, mate, and the rest of the crew had been drowned in attempting to leave the vessel in their own boat, | which was stove against the side of the ship. The : 8 men welcomed with cheers the approach of the ; life-boat, having been beaten about so long with no means of escape. The vessel being in the trough of the sea, under no command, and rolling ; heavily, it required the strength of all hands to j keep the life-boat clear of her. The vessel was ; subsequently brought into port by H.M.S. Ter- | Title, and yielded a large amount of salvage to I the officers and crew of that ship. The !A&&rd life-boat also went off with the view of rendering assistance to the ship. Both life-boats were obliged, in consequence of stress of weather, to : put into Falmouth.

Read letter from J. A. W. HARPER, Esq., Se- cretary of Lloyd's Salvage of Property Associa-tion, of the 2nd March, stating that its Committee had awarded to the Institution, and to the two life-boats, 20W., which they wished to be divided as follows:—501. to the Institution for the wear { and tear of its life-boats; 361. to the men who j manned the Lizard life-boat; and 114/. to the crew of the Cadgwith life-boat.—Lloyd's Salvage I Association to be thanked, and the amounts to be dis- tributed accordingly.

; Decided also that, as a mark of the Committee's high appreciation of the gallant and determined services of the crews of the two life-boats, the expenses incurred by the life-boat men at Fal- 1 mouth, and in bringing the boats back to their stations, be paid by the Parent Institution.

Voted 148Z. 13s. 3d. to pay the expenses of the following life-boats, in putting off during the fear- ful storms of February, in reply to signals of dis- tress from various vessels, with the view of ren- dering assistance—which, however, was fortu- nately not required—Rye, Padstow, Yarmouth, Piel, Braunton, Girvan, Porthleven, Penzauce, Thorpeness, and Drogheda.

Voted II. to the crews of two small fishing- boats, for rescuing at some risk of life 2 fisher- men, whose boat had been driven into a strong current, and capsized off Lannasting, Whalsay Sound, Shetland, on the 26th Jan.

Tuesday, 9th March.—The Annual General Meeting of the friends and supporters of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION was held this day at the London Tavern, His GRACE THE DUKE OF NORTHUMBERLAND, F.C., President of the In- stitution, in the Chair.

His GRACE having opened the Meeting with some appropriate remarks on the important and national character of the operations of the Insti- tution, its Officers for the current year were chosen.

The Secretary then read the Annual Report of the Committee.

The Meeting was then addressed by Admiral Sir GEORGE SARTORIUS, K.C.B., Vice-Admiral of the United Kingdom: the Right Hon. The EARL PERCY, M.P.; Rear-Admiral J. V. TABLETON C.B.; Rear-Admiral Sir W. H. HALL, K.C.B.

F.R.S.: Sir EDWARD G. L. PERROTT, Bart., V.P.

Vice-Admiral J. B. B. McHARDY; Capt. The Hon F. MAUDE, R.N.; ARTHUR PENDARVES VIVIAN Esq., M.P.; THOMAS CHAPMAN, Esq., F R.S.

V.P.; NICHOLAS B. DOWNING, Esq., Hon. Sec. of the Penzance Branch of the Institution : Capt. Sir FREDERICK ARROW, Deputy Master of the Trinity House; and Capt. NICHOLAS DE&T. CROIX, H.C.S., V.P.

Various Resolutions were afterwards moved, seconded, and carried unanimously, pledging the Meeting to renewed exertions on behalf of the benevolent and national objects of the Institution.

The Report and Resolutions will be found in the I April number of the Life-boat Journal, page 39.