SUTTON, LINCOLNSHIRE.—On the 17th October, 1869, during a violent gale from the N., a small ship drifted past this place with signals of distress flying. The life- boat Birmingham was at once dispatched , to the aid of the vessel, which ultimately struck on the sands off Huttoft. The sea was very rough, but the boat was happily the means of saving all the shipwrecked persons, consisting of the crew of 2 men and a boy, and the master's wife and 2 children, all of whom were safely landed and taken up to the village inn. As the tide rose the ship began to break up, and in a few hours Was strewed in fragments along the beach. She Was the billyboy Swan, of Hull, bound from Boston to Gainsborough with a cargo of wheat.

The life-boat behaved extremely well in the heavy seas which she had to encounter. BLAKENEY, NORFOLK.—At daylight on the 19th October, a large brig was seen to be ashore on the West Sands off this place, with a signal of distress flying in the main rigging. The weather was terrific, a gale of wind blowing from the north, and bringing in a very heavy sea, one of the heaviest that had been seen on this coast for years. The life-boat Bright-well was launched, went out to the vessel, and took off 8 men and a boy, who were brought up in the boat to Blakeney Quay, which they reached about 9 A.M. The brig was the John and Mary, of Shields, bound thence from Havre in ballast.

Again, at daylight on the following morning, a brig was observed ashore on the west side of Blakeney Harbour- way. She was lying on her beam-ends.

The wind and sea were tremendous, but the life-boat was launched, and as she neared the vessel the crew made signals of distress. The brig was a total wreck, and was expected to go to pieces every minute, her bows and quarter being stove in, and other damage done, while her two boats were washed away. The crew of 6 men, who were very much exhausted, were with some difficulty got into the life-boat from the main rigging. Their vessel was the Ravensworth, of Hartlepool.

ABERDOVEY, NORTH WALES.—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 extemporised, 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.

CAISTER, NORFOLK.—The large life-boat Birmingham, on this station, was launched on the 28th October to the barque Alma, of Malta, which, while lying about a cable's length from the buoy of the West Scroby Sand, had dragged one anchor and had then hoisted a signal of distress, being in imminent danger, as she had then only one anchor to hold her during the fury of the storm then raging, and must have gone on the sands in five minutes, had the other cable parted.

Some of the life-boat men boarded the vessel, and cut away some of her top gear.

The boat remained alongside, and on the weather moderating, a steamer was for- tunately able to get out of her dangerous position.

On the 30th December the brig Delegate, of London, struck on the Caister Shoal, or Inner Barber Sands, while the wind was blowing very hard from the south.

A Caister yawl went off to her assistance, but although one of the crew managed to get on board the vessel, the sea was too heavy for tfe» yawl to stay by, and she returned for the Caister surf life-boat —the Boys—which was soon launched and alongside the wreck. After some difficulty she succeeded in saving the vessel's crew of 9 men.

CROMER, NORFOLK.—Signals of distress were exhibited by a large full-rigged ship about two miles and a half to the north- ward of this place, on the 22nd of Octo- ber, whereupon the Benjamin Bond Gabbell life-boat was launched, and proceeded to the vessel, which was found to be the ship William Frofhingham, of New York, bound from the Baltic to Shields, and thence to New York; she had been aground during the gale, had 5 ft. of water in her hold, and her rudder being unshipped, she was quite unmanageable.

The vessel and those on board, with the aid of the Cromer life-boat and the Sheringham beachmen's life-boat, were safely taken to Yarmouth harbour.

SCARBOROUGH.—On the 3rd November, the Scarborough life-boat put off three times and brought safely into port three fishing cobles and their *crews, consisting of 9 men, during a strong N.N.W. wind and a heavy sea. The cobles were re- turning from their fishing-ground, and owing to the high seas running round the pier-head, it was feared they would not be able to reach the harbour in safety.

The life-boat's crew made no charge for this service to their comrades.

On the 4th of the following month (December), the brig Schiedam, of Middles- borough, bound from Seaham to South- ampton with coals, foundered at sea off the Yorkshire coast soon after midnight.

The master and crew of 5 men had taken to their longboat a few minutes previous to the vessel going down. While making for the land, the master and mate were washed out of the boat: the latter succeeded in regaining her, but the captain was unfortunately lost. -The boat was seen from Scarborough when 4 miles dis- tant from the shore, and as a heavy sea was running out of the Pier Head, it was very doubtful whether the crew could reach the harbour in safety. The Scar- borough life-boat was thereupon manned and launched, and reached the boat when it was upwards of 3 miles from the land.

When taken into, the life-boat, the poor fellows were very much exhausted, and their boat was half full of water.

ORME'S HEAD.—The Sisters' Memorial life-boat on this station was called out on service on the 4th November, the Dutch brigantine Catharina driving ashore and becoming a total wreck in Llandudno Bay on that day in a strong gale from the N.N.W. and a heavy sea. The life-boat was promptly launched to the aid of the shipwrecked crew, numbering 5 men, all of whom were rescued and safely landed; the vessel soon afterwards becoming a total wreck.

PALLING-BY-THE-SEA, NORFOLK.—Early on the morning of the 6th November, during a gale of wind from the N.N.W., accompanied by blinding showers, a vessel was observed in distress about a mile and a half from this place. The Par see life- boat promptly proceeded to the spot, and gallantly succeeded in saving the crew of 6 men from the vessel, which was found to be the brig Watermillock of Sunderland.

Another excellent service was performed by this valuable life-boat on the 17th December. Soon after midnight a vessel was reported on shore at Eccles, about a mile and a half from Palling. It was blowing a heavy gale of wind from the N.W. at the time, and a high sea running.

The life-boat was promptly conveyed on her carriage to the scene of the wreck, and was launched about three hundred yards to leeward of the vessel. An at- tempt was then made to track her to windward, but the line was carried away, and the men took to the oars, and pulled in the direction of the wreck, against a strong wind and tide. In the meantime the mast went by the board, carrying with it the crew of 6 men, 4 of whom were unfortunately swept away, and met with a watery grave. After a hard struggle the life-boat arrived abreast the wreck and let go her anchor, with the view of veering alongside. Just then the vessel parted in two, and the life-boat men had to shift the anchor several times in consequence of so much wreckage.

After several trials, however, they suc- ceeded in saving the master and mate, who were hauled into the boat in a very exhausted condition, and afterwards safely lauded at Palling. This service was a very hazardous one, and the life-boat men received much praise for their brave and skilful handling of the boat. The vessel proved to be the brig Echo, of London.

DONNA NOOK, LINCOLNSHIRE.—At day- break on the llth November, the barque Hannah of Drobak, Norway, drifted out of the Humber, during a strong wind from the N.W., accompanied by snow and sleet, the weather having been very stormy during the night. Eventually the vessel got amongst the breakers, when both anchors were let go, and all the masts were cut away. The life-boat North Briton, on the perilous position of the ship being observed, was taken to wind- •ward and launched to the assistance of those on board. Such, however, was the strength of the wind and sea that she was driven to leeward. A second launch was then effected in Grainthorpe Haven, and after a long pull the vessel was reached, and eventually the crew of 9 men were got ashore in safety.

CARMARTHEN BAY.—Intelligence was re- ceived here on the 13th November, that a brigantine was in a very dangerous posi- tion near Carmarthen Pier and the Cefn Sidan Sands, and she was afterwards seen to be heading northwards, and to be near the breakers. The life-boat City of Man- chester was at once launched, and pro- ceeded in the direction of the vessel through a heavy sea. Before she could be reached the crew of 8 men had taken to their own boat, and were ob- served to be making for the Laugharne Sands. They were followed by the life- boat, into which they were taken, and brought to the Ferryside all safe. Their vessel, which became a total wreck, was the Spanish brigantine Saint Areta, bound from Santander to Swansea with copper ore.

WHITEHAVEN, CUMBERLAND.—On the 14th November the brigantine Elizabeth, of Drogheda, when off St. Bee's Head, during a gale of wind and in a very high sea, lost her mainmast, foretopmast, &e., and hoisted a signal of distress, where- upon the Elizabeth life-boat quickly pro- ceeded to her and found that she required the aid of a steam-tug. Accordingly the life-boat burnt blue lights as a signal for a steamer, waited by the vessel until the tug had arrived, and then accompanied her into harbour.

BARMOUTH, NORTH WALES.—A large vessel was observed on the outer end of St. Patrick's Causeway, about twelve miles from the shore on the 19th November, and two boats from her were seen to be making for the land. It was blowing fresh from the north-west at the time.

The Barmouth life-boat Ellen was promptly taken out to meet the boats, and fortunately succeeded in getting outside the broken water before they had arrived at the bar, on which a heavy sea was break- ing, which they could hardly have passed through in safety. Some of the 17 men in the two boats were then taken into the life-boat, part of whose crew went into the boats and steered them ashore, all landing in safety. The vessel was the barque Medoc, of Bordeaux, 604 tons, Eoux, master, bound from Havannah to Liverpool, with a cargo of sugar. She had gone on the Causeway at two o'clock in the morning. Afterwards she floated off nearly full of water, drifted to the southward, and ultimately sank off Aberdovey.

REDCAR, YORKSHIRE.—The brig Daw- son, of Newcastle, went on the Long Scarr Rocks off this place during a gale of wind and in a heavy sea on the 23rd November.

The life-boat Burton-on- Trent proceeded out to her, and was the means of saving 6 of the shipwrecked crew. Previous to the arrival of the life-boat 3 men had attempted to get to the shore in the ship's boat, which capsized, and 2 of them were unhappily drowned, the third man being rescued by the ship's crew after he had been a quarter of an hour in the water.

The same life-boat also performed a noble service on the 2nd December, in saving at great risk the crew, consisting of 3 men, of the sloop Frances Mary, of Inverkeithing, which vessel became a total wreck on the Redcar Rocks during a strong northerly wind and in a very heavy sea. The old Redcar life-boat put off as well as the Burton-on-Trent, but after contending for some time with the heavy seas, the latter boat reached the scene of the wreck half an hour before the old boat. There was, however, not sufficient water where the vessel lay among the rocks to enable the life-boat to get along- side her, and a portion of the crew of the boat then waded between the reefs to her, some of them being up to their necks in water, and eventually the poor shipwrecked men were got into the life-boat and were safely landed.

BALLYWALTER, COUNTY DOWN.— The schooner Brenton, of Fowey, was observed with signals of distress flying, on the Skull Martin Rock, near Ballywalter, on the 4th December. The wind was blow- ing very fresh from N. to N.E., and a heavy sea was running at the time, rendering it impracticable for any ordinary boat to put off to the vessel's assistance. The life-boat Admiral Henry Meynell was there- upon promptly launched, and brought safely ashore the vessel's crew of 5 men.

The poor fellows had to descend a rope from the jibboom to reach the life-boat.

The weather subsequently moderating, the vessel was also taken safely into harbour.

PORTHCAWL, S. WALES.—On the 5th December, the schooner Loretta, of Bilboa, was seen drifting toward the sands east- ward of Porthcawl. There was a strong gale blowing from W.S.W. at the time.

The Porthcawl life-boat put off, and brought ashore the master's wife, the captain and crew refusing at first to quit their ship. Soon afterwards, however, the position of the vessel became so perilous that signals of distress were shown, and the life-boat again put out, through a heavy sea, and rescued the crew of 11 men and a pilot, bringing them ashore in safety.

KINGSGATE, KENT.— The steamship Anglian, of Dublin, was stranded during heavy weather on the " Main," under the North Foreland lighthouse, on the 7th December. The Kingsgate life-boat put off, but her services were at first declined.

Afterwards, however, the master requested the crew to board his vessel and assist in getting her from her dangerous position.

This was done, and the vessel was after- wards towed into Ramsgate Harbour by the steam-tug Aid.

HOLYHEAD.—On the 13th December, the Princess of Wales life-boat on this Station went off to the assistance of a vessel reported as being in distress in the harbour of refuge at this place, she having dragged her anchors near the Breakwater. It was quite dark, and the wind was blowing a heavy gale from the S.W., and it was raining hard. With the assistance of a steamer and the life-boat the vessel, which proved to be the schooner Merlin, of Llanelly, having a crew of 4 men, was rescued from her very dangerous position.

LOWESTOFT.—On the 14th December the schooner Adina, of London, was totally wrecked during a strong gale from the S.W. and heavy sea, near the East Holm Buoy, on the Gorton Sand, off Lowestoft.

The Letitia life-boat at the latter place was launched and succeeded in saving the whole of the vessel's crew, 8 in number.

The sea broke very heavily over the schooner, and she soon afterwards went to pieces. The neighbouring life-boat, the Sisters, at Pakefield, also went off with the view of rendering assistance to the same vessel.

Ten days afterwards the Letitia life- boat went out in tow of the steam-tug Rainbow, and succeeded in rescuing the master and crew of the schooner Agathe Scheibert, of Stettin, which was wrecked on the Holm Sand during a strong N.E. gale.

When the life-boat reached the Sand, on which a heavy sea was breaking, it was found that the wreck was full of water, and the poor shipwrecked men were only too glad to avail themselves of the aid of the life-boat.

NEWQUAY, CORNWALL.—At daybreak on the 20th December, the Austrian barque Suez was observed riding at anchor with signals of distress flying, about three miles and a half east of Newquay. The life-boat at that place was quickly launched, and found the vessel in a very critical position, with nearly all her sails blown away.

The crew had attempted to leave in their long-boat, but as soon as it was launched over the side it got store in, and was rendered entirely useless. The men, 10 in number, were, however, brought safely ashore in the life-boat.

RHYL, N. WALES.—The schooner Jessie, of Liverpool, was stranded off Rhyl, dur- ing a gale of wind from N.N.E., on the 22nd December. She had been observed running before the wind with masts gone and sails flying about in all directions.

The Morgan tubular life-boat went out, and brought ashore the crew of 3 men.

The sea was making a clean breach over the wreck when the life-boat arrived alongside.

HALE, CORNWALL.—On the same day the schooner Vigilant, of Hayle, was seen in distress during bad weather, and in a heavy sea, on the western spit of Hayle Bar. The Oxford University life-boat Isis stationed at that port was launched, and succeeded in rescuing the vessel's crew of 5 men. The schooner soon after- wards became a total wreck. Great skill and courage were shown by the gallant coxswain and crew of the life-boat in rendering this service, which was per- formed while the weather was intensely dark, and while a heavy sea was rolling on the bar.

SEATON CAREW, DURHAM.—During a heavy gale from the N.E. on the same day the brig Mary Young, of West Hartlepool, grounded on the North Gare Sand- bank at the entrance of the Tees, a mile and a half south of Seaton Carew. The Charlotte life-boat at the latter place was conveyed to the spot, launched, and brought ashore the vessel's crew of 8 men. A strong gale from E.N.E. was blowing at the time. On the afternoon of the same day the life-boat again went out to the schooner Daisy, of Berwick, which was seen dragging her anchor, a tug making vain efforts to get near her.

The vessel was found abandoned; and after some difficulty she was towed up the Tees to Middlesborough.

DROGHEDA, IRELAND.—On the 23rd De- cember the brig Englishman, of Working- ton, and the schooner Louisa Jane, of Drogheda, while running for the river Boyne, became unmanageable through a sudden change of the wind, and drove on the South Bull in a heavy sea. The life-boat Old George Irlam of Liverpool, immediately proceeded to them, and found the brig had injured her stern-post, and that the water was gaining on her rapidly.

The master and crew of 5 men, therefore, at once availed themselves of the services of the life-boat, and were landed all safe.

The schooner's crew preferred to remain by their vessel, as she was not leaking, and the tide was ebbing.

RAMSGATE.—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 unfortunately drowned. The poor boy was then the only one left, and his screams to the life-boat men to save him were heartrending. For half an hour the brave fellows made every effort to do so ; at last a tremendous 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 succeeded 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.

The same life-boat and two steam-tugs also succeeded, with much difficulty, in rescuing the ship Constantia, of Bremen, and her crew of 26 men, that vessel having grounded on the Goodwin Sands, in a heavy gale of wind, with heavy snow- storms, on the 26th December. On this occasion a very heavy ground-swell rendered it difficult to get the life-boat along- side the ship; and in doing so one of the life-boat men fell overboard, and was with difficulty rescued.

DOVER.—On the 23rd Dec. the steamer M. E. Clarke, of London, went on the Mole Kocks outside Dover Harbour during a heavy N.E. gale. On her signals of distress being observed, the Royal Wiltshire life-boat was taken to the centre of the bay on her carriage, and launched through a heavy sea. She quickly proceeded through the broken water in the bay to the rocks, and took off the vessel's crew of 12 men.

TYNEMOUTH, NORTHUMBERLAND.— The schooner Viscount Macduff, of Macduff, N.B., while entering the harbour of Tynemouth during the night of the 26th December, was struck by a heavy sea, which washed overboard the captain and one of the crew, who were at the wheel at the time. She almost immediately afterwards grounded on the rocks off the Spanish Battery, where the steamship Stanley was lost a few years since. The Tynemouth No. 2 life-boat was quickly launched through a tremendous sea, and rescued the remaining 4 men of the crew, who were in a sad state of terror and exhaustion. It was a fearful night, with wind, snow, thunder and lightning combined.

On the 30th December the Tynemouth No. 1 life-boat, the Constance, went off, through a tremendous sea, in consequence of distress signals being shown from a large vessel, which proved to be the ship Lady Carter, of Liverpool. The wind was blowing a hurricane from the S.S.E. at the time, and the tow-line of the vessel having parted while she was rounding the South Pier buoy, she was in great danger of driving on to the advanced base of the North Pier, but was fortunately brought up with two anchors. The life-boat, at the earnest request of the captain, whose wife was on board, remained by the vessel six hours, when the ship was taken in tow by two steamers, after slipping both her cables. The launching and getting out the life-boat was attended with much danger, for there was great fear of her being also driven on to the North Pier.

WHITBY.—At daylight on the 27th De- cember the brigantine Lutha, of Leith, was observed off "Whitby with loss of masts and sails, and otherwise disabled, and with signals of distress in her rigging.

The Whitby No. 1 life-boat went off to her assistance and brought ashore the crew of 6 men.

BALLYCOTTON, Co. CORK.—The brig Edwardino, of Genoa, was stranded during a terrific gale from the S. on the Northern Strand of Ballycotton Bay, on the 30th December. The life-boat St. Clair went off twice, and on the second occasion rescued the vessel's crew of 10 men, after- wards landing them in safety. The first time the life-boat was blown on shore, with the loss of five oars, after having been nearly upset. She was, however, quickly launched again, and went off in gallant style to the rescue. While this service was being performed another vessel went down, and her crew un- fortunately perished.

GREAT YARMOUTH.—On the same day the barque Spectator, of Whitby, was ob- served from Yarmouth to part from her cables, and after coming into collision with another vessel, to drive in the direc- tion of the Scroby Sands. The Mark Lane life-boat went off under sail, and after great difficulty succeeded in boarding the ship, and in assisting to bring her and her crew of 9 men to a place of safety.

NORTH SUNDERLAND, NORTHUMBERLAND.

—A sudden gale from the S. sprung up at this place on the 30th December, and during its height three fishing cobles were observed in distress. The life-boat Joseph Anstice went out, and having got the boats in as safe a position as possible, took off the crews, consisting of 12 men, and brought them ashore.

MEVAGISSEY, CORNWALL.—Also on that day, the brigantine Qirondin, of Bordeaux, stranded during a strong gale from the S., and in a heavy sea, on the Par Sands, on the Cornish coast. The South War- wickshire life-boat was launched, and succeeded in rescuing the crew of 6 men. In the performance of this service, the brave life-boat men were for a very long time subjected to most severe exposure and fatigue.

In launching the boat, she was, on the first occasion, thrown broadside up the beach by the breakers. Being replaced on her carriage, a second launch was effected with better success. When nearing the vessel, the boat, with drogue out, was driven for half a mile through a heavy, breaking sea.

The master of the wrecked vessel spoke in glowing terms of the conduct of the life- boat and her crew, and the peril to which they were exposed. He and his crew were clinging to the rigging of their ship, which, although she was aground a long way in- side the bar, had the sea dashing furiously over her; and he said that as the boat crossed the bar, three successive seas broke over her, and completely buried her each time from view; but she at once recovered herself, the water being all self-ejected in a few seconds. The life-boat men were perfectly benumbed by the cold and exposure, and they returned by land to Mevagissey, leaving their boat at Par until the next day.

[The services performed by the life-boats of the Institution during the past year (1870), will be found detailed in the List of Rewards given in the Annual Report of the Institution, published on the 1st May last, pages 43—52.].