TYRELLA, Co. DOWN.—On the 13th April, at about 7 A.M., the brigantine Cygnet, bound from Silloth to Dundalk, with a cargo of coal, was driven ashore in Dandrum Bay during a strong S.E. gate.

The Memorial Life-boat put off to her assistance, and with some difficulty and danger, owing to the strength of the gale and the heavy seas breaking over the vessel, succeeded in rescuing the crew, consisting of 4 men.

On the 22nd September, during a heavy gale from S.S.W., the smack Wasp, of Belfast, had her sails blown away, and drove ashore at Kingmore, in Dundrum Bay. The Memorial Life-boat put off to her assistance and rescued the crew, con- sisting of 3 men. The vessel was bound from Troon to Newry with a cargo of coal.

ARKLOW.—The Coxswain of the Out Pensioner Life-boat, of the NATIONAL LIFE- BOAT INSTITUTION, stationed at Arklow, makes the following report of the circum- stances attending the wreck of the barque Sroughton, of Swansea, on the Irish coast, and the rescue of her crew by that Life- boat:—"24th April, 1878, at 5 P.M., it was reported by Arklow Coastguards that a vessel was on the Arklow Bank. The Life-boat was launched, and taken through a very heavy sea over the bar, the wind being E.N.E., and the tide being ebb. She then proceeded to Mizen Head, where she was anchored about midnight. At about 1.30 A.M. got sail on the boat and pro- ceeded to the Arklow Bank, where, at daybreak, the vessel was seen about two miles to leeward. The Life-boat went outside the Bank to the barque, and anchored under her port quarter, when a sea filled the boat. The vessel's crew then veered out a cork fender, but the line broke; a second fender was then veered out, to which a hawser was attached, j but the Life-boat filled a second time, i when she attempted to get close to the j vessel, and shipped a sea fore and aft, washing the coxswain overboard. He was not missed for a time, but happily, though with some difficulty, he was eventually rescued. The boat was after- wards again overwhelmed by the heavy seas, and the crew, believing it to be impossible for them to reach the vessel then, from the state of the sea and the long exposure they had undergone, it was considered best to return ashore and get a fresh crew. The boat reached Arklow at about 9.30 A.M., when a fresh crew imme- diately manned her, and proceeded under a double-reefed foresail to Arklow Sank on the first of the flood tide, the wind still blowing very hard from the E.N.E. The boat was again filled twice in attempting to cross the bank. Her head was then turned to the shore, five tacks were made, and eventually she was got through the Mizen Swash, then ran before the wind to the barque, and let go her anchor under the vessel's quarter. The boat was filled twice, her crew being drenched, but they succeeded in getting a grapnel astern and a line from the ship, and in this manner were enabled to take on board the vessel's crew, consisting of 15 men, and safely landed them at Arklow at 6.15 P.M.— RICHARD WADDEN, Coxswain of the Life- boat." WEXFORD.—On the 25th April, at 11.30 A.M., the s.s. Montagu, of Liverpool, was observed ashore on the south side of the East Bar Channel. The Civil Service Life-boat was at once launched, and was taken in tow by the steam-tug Ruly, which had been to the assistance of the stranded vessel, but had been unable to communicate with her. Having been placed to windward, the Life-boat pro- ceeded under oars, the sea running high, and got safely under the lee side of the vessel. It was desired that the boat should take off the passengers; and this was done. The master and crew, hoping that the weather would moderate, and that they might get the ship afloat at next high water, resolved to remain on board until then. The Life-boat was got clear of the vessel, and after a strong pull to windward was taken back to her station by the tug, on board which the passengers, consisting of 4 men, 8 women, and 6 children, were placed and taken safely to Wexford.

The Silver Medal of the Institution was voted to Mr. MARCUS BOYLE, Coxswain of the Life-boat, in recognition of his gallant services on this and previous occasions.

He has performed the duties of coxswain for many years, and during that period he has rendered many important services.

CULLERCOATS.—On the 8th May the Palmerston Life-boat was launched to the aid of several fishing vessels which has been overtaken by a heavy sea, rendering it dangerous for them to cross the bar in returning to port. The boat remained some time afloat assisting the boats into harbour.

SCARBOROUGH.—On the 8th May the fishing coble Sarah, of this port, which had gone out at about 3 A.M., was caught in a gale from the E.S.E, which subse- quently sprang up, and at about 8.30 she was seen making for the harbour. The sea had risen very much, with a great deal of broken water towards the shore, and as the coble was in great peril, the Life-boat Lady Leigh was launched. The crew of the coble, consisting of 3 men, were taken into the Life-boat, and their boat was then towed safely into harbour.

WHITBY—On the 8th May two fishing vessels, the Eliza and the James and Sarah, belonging to Scarborough, were seen to be making for Whitby Harbour, during a strong S.E. breeze. The sea being very heavy, it was impossible for them to enter the harbour safely, while they could not remain at sea without great risk to the lives of the crews. The, Life-boat Robert Whitworth was therefore launched, and proceeded to the boats and took off the crews, consisting of 2 men from each coble. One of the boats after- wards sank; the other, with the aid of the Life-boat and crew, was eventually landed on the beach.

On the 12th September a gale from the N. suddenly sprang up. About fifty fish- ing boats were lying at anchor in the roads, and were in great danger of being driven ashore. Part of their crews had landed with their fish, and as they were unable to get back to their vessels, the Life-boats Robert Whitworth and Harriott Forteath were launched and put some of the crews on board their boats. By that time the wind and sea had increased in violence, and four of the craft drove ashore, but their crews were fortunately rescued; the majority of the boats slipped their anchors and ran south. The Life- boats remained out about two hours, and ultimately the Robert Whitworth succeeded in saving 2 men from the boat Welcome, of Hartlepool. About ten minutes after the men were taken out of her, the boat foundered.

DROGHEDA.—On the 11th May, at about 11.30 A.M., a vessel was reported to be in distress outside the Bar. The crew of the No. 2 Life-boat, John Rutter Chorley, were assembled, and the boat was launched as quickly as possible and proceeded out to the vessel. On nearing the wreck, it was found that she was sinking, and it was seen that her crew, 2 in number, had been compelled to take to their own boat.

The Life-boat went after them and took them safely ashore. The* vessel proved to be the smack Thorn, of Chester, bound from Bangor to Dublin with slates.

On the 23rd August, the brigantine Frances Mary, of Drogheda, stranded on Drogheda Bar during a, heavy E. gale, accompanied by a rough sea. The John Rutter Chorley Life-boat proceeded to her assistance, but only 1 of the crew then came ashore in her, the others desiring to remain by their vessel in hopes that she might not become a wreck. At low water, however, they were compelled to leave her, and landed in their own boat at great risk. The vessel subsequently became a total wreck. She was bound from Ayr to- Drogheda, with coal, and carried a crew of 4 men.

CLACTON-ON-SEA.—On the 23rd May, the Albert Edward Life-boat rescued the crew, consisting of 9 persons, from the brig Garland, of South Shields. The par- ticulars of this service were fully detailed in the last number of the Life-boat Journal. ( Vide page 369.)

RAMSGATE.—On the 30th July, signal guns were fired from the Gull light-ship.

The Vulcan steam-tug and Bradford No. 2 Life-boat were manned as quickly as pos- sible,, and proceeded direct for a vessel which was observed ashore on the N.N.W.

part of the Goodwin Sands. On arriving alongside, the services of the Life-boat and steamer were at once engaged. A boat from Deal, with two men, had pre- viously arrived, and another Deal boat subsequently came up. The crew of two men of the last-named boat went on board the vessel, but finding that their services were not required, they were about to get into their boat again when it was found that she had been stove and filled with water. They then waded through the surf to the other boat, and on the tide flowing, the four men attempted to get NEWBIGGIN, NORTHUMBERLAND.—On the that boat off the sand, but, owing to the I 15th September several of the large herring heavy sea, she was also stove and filled, boats belonging to this place were lying The men then waded up to their waists in water towards the vessel, and, on their perilous situation being observed, the ship's boat was lowered by the Life-boat- men, and they were brought safely on board. As the tide flowed, the wind and sea increased, and the steamer, which had been riding near the vessel, then attached her towing hawser and commenced towing, but after some time the rope broke. A larger towing hawser was then made use I of, and eventually the vessel came afloat, and was taken into Ramsgate Harbour.

She was the brigantine Donna, Maria, of Swansea, 123 tons, from Burntisland to Cherbourg, with coal. Her crew consisted of 6 men.

BROADSTAIRS.—On the 30th July, at 4.30 A.M., during a strong N. wind and heavy sea, the Life-boat Samuel Morrison Collins was launched in reply to signal-guns fired from the Gull light-ship. On arriving at the Goodwin Sands, the schooner Star of the West, of Bridgwater, was found ashore there. The Life-boat, with great difficulty, succeeded in getting her off the sand, and took her, with her crew of 5 men, safely into Ramsgate Harbour. The boat sustained much damage in the per- formance of this service.

STAITHES, YORKSHIRE.—On the 12th September, the Life-boat Hannah Somerset went out to the assistance of several fish- ing cobles which had been overtaken by a sudden gale from the N., accompanied by a heavy sea, and were in great danger.

She conveyed ropes, anchors, &c., by which means several of the cobles were saved.

Three of the boats, however, were driven on shore, and were totally wrecked.

WELLS, NORFOLK.—On the 12th Sep- tember, during a very heavy gale from the N., accompanied by a heavy sea, at 5 P.M., the fishing sloop Sally, of this port, was making for the harbour when her mainsheet and boom gave way, and she was driven on the East Sands. The " Penny Readings" Life-boat Eliza Adams was launched, and was towed by a steam- tug as far as the Sands; she then pro- ceeded to the sloop, and succeeded in saving the crew of 4 men.

at anchor in the bay when a very violent gale suddenly sprang up, and the sea rose very rapidly, and they were in great danger of sinking at their moorings or of being driven on the rocks. Their crews, who were ashore, were totally unable to go out to them in the small boats or cobles gene- rally used by them. The Life-boat was accordingly brought into requisition, and the fishermen taken out to their boats, which were then safely got out of the bay or into shelter, with the exception of one, which was 'stove oil the rocks.

DOUGLAS, ISLE or MAN.—On the 16th September, at 1 P.M., a vessel was observed about eight miles off Douglas Head show- ing signals of distress. The wind *?as blowing a whole gale from the W. at the time. The No. 2 Life-boat, John Turner- Turner, immediately put off to her assist- ance, and found it was the brigantine Delhi, of Belfast, 128 tons register, bound from Pools to Runcorn with a cargo of china clay. Her decks were completely swept by the sea; she was leaking badly, and was apparently foundering. Her crew of 6 men were in a most exhausted con- dition, having been hard at work at the pumps for some time, and were with diffi- culty clinging to the rigging. The Life- boat with great difficulty succeeded in getting close to the vessel, took the men off, and landed them at Douglas at 8.30 P.M.

The vessel subsequently foundered.

THURSO, N.B.—On the 16th September a very severe W. gale was experienced here. About nineteen sailing vessels and two steamers were lying in Scrabster Road- stead at the time. Some of them had anchored far out beyond the proper anchor- age-ground, and in the afternoon were riding very heavily, and apparently dragging their anchors. The Charley Lloyd Life- boat put off to their assistance, and brought ashore the crews, consisting of 10 men, from the brigantine St. Helen, of Carnarvon, smack Maggie, of Sunderland, and smack | Ann, of Berwick. The Life-boat was then kept afloat in Scrabster Harbour, and her crew remained in attendance in case their services should be again required. Later in the afternoon some of the other vessels escape in that way. As the steamer dared she was in great danger, the Mincing Lane not approach any nearer the stranded ship, i Life-boat was launched to her assistance, showed signals of distress, and the Life- boat proceeded to their assistance, and brought ashore 31 persons from the schooners Eva, of Runcorn; Unionist, of Berwick; Jane Shearer, of Thurso; Ann, of Runcorn; Lark, of Aberdeen; Phoeni- cian, of Corrin; and Caroline Marion., of Dumfries. The Life-boat finally landed at about 8.30 P.M., having been out five times during the day.

FLEET WOOD.—On the night of the 18th September the barque Charles Chattoner, of Fleetwood, bound for that port from Quebec, with timber, was endeavouring to make the harbour in tow of a steam-tug; but the steamer was not sufficiently power- ful, as the wind was blowing a gale from W.N.W. at the time, and about midnight the barque was driven on to Bernard Wharf, a sandbank about a mile eastward of the Wyre Light. Her crew of 19 men leaped on board the tug, but a boy still remained on the vessel, he being unable to signals of distress were shown, in response to which the Life-boat Edward Wasey put off, went alongside the vessel, and suc- ceeded in rescuing the boy.

LYTHAM. — On the 22 ad September, during a 8. gale with thick rain squalls, a vessel was observed ashore on Salthouse Bank, and showing signals of distress.

The Life-boat was launched, and on ar- riving alongside found that she was the Emerald Isle, bound from Drogheda to Preston, with a cargo of oatmeal. At the request of the master, the boat remained by her during the day, and at the night's tide a hawser was got out and the smack was hauled into deep water. The Life- boat returned ashore at 10 P.M., after being absent from her station about twelve hours.

MONTROSE.—On the 30th September, a boat containing three pilots put off from this place to a Norwegian barque, and one of the men was placed on board the vessel.

The boat then returned towards the shore, but the wind having freshened, it was found impossible to cross the Bar. As remained by her until the tide rose, and eventually brought her and the two men one of whom was the Coxswain of the Life-boat) safely ashore.

not actually engaged in our coasting trade; while there were 68 casualties to foreign ships which were not trading to or from the United Kingdom.

We observe that the total number of English ships, excluding collision cases, which, according to the facts reported, appear to have foundered or to have been otherwise totally lost on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom from defects in the ships or their equipments during the year 1876-77 is 20; while 54 happened through the errors, &c., of masters, officers, crews, or pilots, 180 through stress of weather, and 61 from other or unknown causes.

The number of casualties arising from the same causes during the same year, and resulting in serious damage, is as follows:—Through defects, 77; errors, 112; stress of weather, 367; other causes, 170; and the cases of minor damage were through defects, 106; errors, 190; stress of weather, 1,258; and other causes, 229.

It is curious to observe the ages of the vessels which were wrecked during the period under consideration. Excluding foreign ships and collision cases, 221 wrecks and casualties happened to nearly new ships, and 396 to ships from 3 to 7 years of age. Then there are wrecks and casualties to 631 ships from 7 to 14 years old, and to 907 from 15 to 30 years old. Then follow 459 old ships from 30 to 50 years old. Having passed the service of half a century, we come to the very old ships, viz. 71 between 50 and 60 years old, 33 from 60 to 70, 24 from 70 to 80, 9 from 80 to 90, and 5 from 90 to 100, while the ages of 68 of the wrecks are unknown.

Amongst the losses on our coasts in 1876-77, excluding collisions, 442 were steamships, and 2,875 were sailing vessels.

Of the 2,824 British ships meeting with disaster in the year, 1,583 did not exceed 100 tons burden, 866 were from 100 to 300 tons, 165 were from 300 to 500 tons, and 210 only were above 500 tons burden.

Of the 315 British vessels totally lost, irre- spective of collisions, 25 are known to have been built of iron; and of this number, 23 were steamships and 2 sailing vessels.

On former occasions the Wreck Registers indicated the direction and force of wind in the case of all the vessels to which disasters had happened in the year, but the present Abstract only gives the winds in 1,785 out of the 4,164 cases of the year.

Dealing with these 1,785 cases only, we find that the winds that have been most fatal to shipping on and near the coasts of the United Kingdom during the year were as follows:—N. to E. inclusive, 287; E. by S. to S. inclusive, 630; S. by W.

to W. inclusive, 541; and W. by N. to N.

by W. inclusive, 327. Total, 1,785.

Again, on distinguishing these last- named casualties near the coasts of the United Kingdom, according to the force of the wind at the time at which they happened, we find that 739 happened with the wind at forces 7 and 8, or a moderate to fresh gale, when a ship, if properly found, manned, and navigated, can keep the sea with safety; and that 1,046 happened with the wind at force 9 and upwards, that is to say, from a strong gale to a hurricane.

We must say one word on the subject of casualties to our ships in our rivers and harbours, as the fearful calamity-to the steamer Princess Alice last September in the Thames has directed afresh intense attention to them throughout the civilised world. We find from the Wreck Register Abstract that the total number during the year 1876-77 was 984, of which 17 were total losses, 245 were serious casual- ties, and 722 minor casualties.

Of these casualties, collisions numbered 658, founderings 13, standings 184, and miscellaneous, 129.

These 984 casualties caused the loss of or damage to 1,725 vessels, of which 1,020 were British sailing vessels, 560 British steam-vessels, 118 foreign sailing vessels, and 27 foreign steam-vessels. The lives lost in these casualties were 15.

With reference to the collisions on and near our coasts during the year 1876-77, 

48 of the 847 collisions were between two steamships both under way, irrespective of numerous other such cases in our harbours and rivers, the particulars of which are not given in the Abstract. We cannot attach too much importance to these facts, for no disaster at sea or in a river is often more awful in its conse- quences than a collision, as has been too strikingly illustrated this year in the cases of the German ironclad Grosser Kurfiirst and the Thames steamer Princess Alice.

We feel assured that the BOARD OF TRADE will make renewed efforts to diminish, as far as practicable, collisions at sea and in rivers, by laying down, if necessary, new and improved rules for the guidance of our mariners.

As regards the loss of life, the Wreck Abstract shows that the number was 776, from the various shipwrecks enumerated during the year 1876-77.

Of the lives lost, 92 were lost in vessels that foundered, 57 through vessels in collision, 470 in vessels stranded or cast ashore, and 93 in missing vessels. The remaining number of lives lost (64) were lost from various causes, such as through being washed overboard in heavy seas, explosions, missing vessels, &c.

Of the 192 ships from which the 776 lives were lost, 131 were British, involving the loss of 459 lives, and 61 were foreign, causing the loss of 317 lives.

This number (776) may appear to the casual observer a comparatively small one by the side of the thousands who escaped disaster from the numerous shipwrecks before mentioned. We are, however, of opinion that it is a very large number, and when we bear in mind the inestimable value of human life, we are convinced that no effort should be left untried which can in any way lessen the annual loss of life from shipwreck on our coasts.

On the other hand, great and noble work was accomplished during the same period, 4,795 lives having been saved from the various shipwrecks. In bringing about that most important service, it is hardly necessary to say that the craft of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION played a most important part, in conj auction with the BOARD OF TRADE'S rocket apparatus, which is so efficiently worked by the Coastguard and our Volunteer Brigades.

Nevertheless, the aggregate loss of life is very large, and so is the aggregate destruction of property. The former is a species of woe inflicted on humanity; the latter is practically a tax upon commerce.

While the art of saving life on the coasts is understood (thanks to the progress of science—the earnestness of men—and the stout hearts of our coast population), the art of preserving property is as yet but imperfectly known amongst us, and still more imperfectly practised.

On reviewing the Wreck Register Ab- stract of the past year, we are bound to take courage from the many gratifying facts it reveals in regard to saving life, which, after all, is our principal object in commenting on it. Noble work has been done, and is doing, for that purpose ; and is it not something, amidst all this havoc of the sea, to help to save even one life, with all its hopes, and to keep the other- wise desolate home unclouded ? To aid this merciful work, we con- fidently appeal for support on behalf of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION, whose noble life-saving fleet of 269 boats is ever ready to hasten to the succour of the shipwrecked sailor in his most helpless and direst distress.