RAMSGATE AND BROADSTAIRS.—At day- break, on the 28th March, during a strong north-easterly wind and in a heavy sea, a large barque was seen ashore on the Goodwin Sands with a signal of distress flying. The Life-boat Bradford and the harbour steam-tug Vulcan were at once despatched to tho spot, and on arriving there found the Broadstairs Life-boat, the Samuel Morrison Collins, had also just arrived. Both boats then went alongside the barque, which proved to be the Jdun, of Bergen, bound from Newcastle to Venice with coals. Tho crew of 14 men, together with the son and daughter of the master, -were then taken into tho Life- boats; but on returning to shore tho boats unfortunately grounded on tho sands, where they had to remain three hours until tho fldod tide made, when they were taken in tow by the steamer, and arrived safely in Ramsgate Harbour about three o'clock that afternoon.

The master of the vessel afterwards expressed, through the public press, his acknowledgments for the timely services thus rendered to himself and the others on board the wrecked vessel. His letter to The Times was as follows :— WRECK ON THE GOODWINS.

TO THE EDITOR OF l THE TIMES.' SIR,—Will you kindly allow me, through your widely-circulated journal, on behalf of myself and crew (16 in all) of the bark Idun, 670 tons, of Bergen, Captain Meidell, from Newcastle, bound for Venice with a cargo of coal, wrecked on the Goodwin Sands on the night of the 27th of March, in a strong gale from the northward and eastward, to express my heartfelt thanks and deep sense of gratitude to the brave and gallant crews of the Itamsgate and Broadstairs Life-boats and the Ramsgate steam-tug Vulcan, for the invaluable ser- vices rendered to us under circumstances of very great distress and danger on the Goodwin Sands, which resulted in the preservation of all our lives ? The noble boats, under the able and skilful management of their persevering crews, came out from the land at daylight in the morning, and dashed fearlessly into the foaming breakers, crossed the boiling sand, and at very great risk to their own lives (the sea breaking heavily into the boats as they approached) succeeded in reach- ing the ship and lying along-side to our rescue.

We were all then hastily, but most kindly, assisted into the two Life-boats (my daughter being with me a passenger), together witii a quantity of nautical instruments, clothes, and other effects.

At this time the ateam-tug was waiting to wind- ward at the edge of the sand, near the breakers, to receive the boats, but the boats, on leaving the ship, could not get off the sand, the tide' not having flowed sufficiently to enable them to pass through the breakers; they were, therefore, com- pelled to wait and allow the boats to beat over the sand to leeward through the boiling sea, breaking heavily into them for three hours, when at length they succeeded in getting off the sand, where the steam-tug (having come round to lee- ward) was waiting in readiness to receive them.

The tug then took the two Life-boats in tow (one being disabled in her rudder), and steered for Ramsgate Harbour with flags flying from their mastheads, where we arrived about 3 p.m.

We were received with loud shouts of joy from hundreds of English spectators on the pier, who had assembled to welcome our safety to land. We were then conducted to the Sailor's Home, where refreshments were already prepared in readiness for us, which we found most welcome after an exposure of about 14 hours to wet and cold, and where we still remain for the present. We left the ship full of water, with her mainmast gone, and no prospect of her ever coming off the sand. : Permit me, Sir, in conclusion, to say that too much praise cannot be given to the English nation for the introduction and success which has attended their noble service, the Life-boat Insti- tution, established for the preservation of ship- wrecked mariners of all nations.

Your insertion of these my grateful acknow- ledgments for the invaluable services rendered us will greatly oblige Your obedient Servant, H. C. MEIDELL (Captain of the said bark Idun).