The smack John James, of Chester, bound from Dublin to Aberdovey, in ballast, was observed on the morning of the 17th October, in a disabled state, with her sails blown away, while the wind was blowing strong from the N., and the sea was still running high from the effect of a terrific gale which had blown on this part of the coast during the previous night. The life-boat Royal Berkshire was thereupon launched, and proceeded out in fine style. While on her way, the vessel drifted and stranded on the South Bank, on which the sea was breaking heavily. On arriving alongside, several of the life-boat men boarded the smack, and the boat remained by her for nearly five hours, until the tide rose, when, some old sails having been extem- porised, the vessel was safely taken into harbour. Had it not been for the life- boat, the vessel and crew would have been lost, as no' other boat could have performed the service thus rendered, and without that assistance the smack would undoubtedly have .become a total wreck.