The valuable life-boat, the Bradford, on this Station, in conjunction with the steam-tug Aid, put out, on the 23rd December, during a strong N.E. gale, to the rescue of the crew of the ship Providence, of Waisa, which was totally wrecked on the South-East Calliper Sands. On arriving within fifty fathoms the anchor was let go, and the life-boat was veered down towards the vessel's port quarter, 3 or 4 of the crew being seen on that part of the wreck. A hawser was then got on board from the life- boat, and the captain made an attempt to slide down the rope; but when half- way a heavy sea swept him off. Happily, however, he was rescued, and got into the life-boat. The ship was now fast breaking up, the masts and spars falling overboard.

One of the crew followed the master's ex- ample by sliding down the hawser; he also was swept away, but, happily, was afterwards saved by the life-boat. There now only remained 1 man and a boy on the wreck, and the former made a rope fast round his body, and plunged into the sea; but notwithstanding every exertion was made to save him, he was unfortu- nately drowned. The poor boy was then the only one left, and his screams to the life-boat men to save him were heartrend- ing. For half an hour the brave fellows made every effort to do so ; at last a tre- mendous sea struck the ship, nearly broke her in two, and the lad was washed over- board. The cable of the life-boat was then cut, and she steered clear of the wreck, when providentially the boy floated near the boat, and was rescued. He was apparently dead; but after some time, the men suc- ceeded in bringing him to. The life-boat then returned, in company with the steamer, to Ramsgate. Twelve of the vessel's crew had left her in their boat during the night, and it was feared had met with a watery grave; but fortunately they were saved by a passing vessel.