ISLE OF WHITHORN.—On the 2nd Octo-ber, the smack Swallow was observed off: Borough Head dismasted, and in danger of being driven on the rocks. The Whithorn Life-boat Charlie Peek put off to her assistance, but before she could get near the Swallow, another vessel arrived and took her in tow towards Drumore. The Life-boat was hailed to follow, and she assisted in passing a fresh tow-rope, as the one in use had nearly parted.

FISHGUARD.—On the 7th Oct. a very heavy S.S.W. gale was experienced here. Several vessels were lying at anchor in the road- stead, one of which, the schooner Charlotte, of Portmadoc, was anchored very far out, and fears were entertained for her safety.

In the afternoon she was seen to drag her anchors and drift on to the Cow and Calf Rocks. At about 6.30 P.M. she hoisted a signal of distress, and the Life-boat Sir Edward Perrott put off to her assistance, and soon arrived alongside the vessel. In the meantime, however, the crew, con- sisting of 4 men, had got on the Cow Rock, and great difficulty was experienced in getting them into the Life-boat. As soon as they were taken on board, an attempt was made to return to the shore, but as the Boat had to pass through a narrow opening between the mainland and the rock, through which there was a very heavy run of tide, the wind being dead against her, it was found impossible to make headway ; and she therefore had to run into Pwll Hir for shelter. She re- mained there for some hours until slack water, when another effort to pass through the sound was made; but when nearly through, the Boat was met by such terrific gusts of wind that she was driven back, and had again to seek shelter at Pwll Hir. After waiting there a long while, the gale slightly abated, and another attempt was made to pass through the channel, fortunately this time with suc- cess. The Life-boat men were very much exhausted on reaching the shore, having been out in the boat 9 hours, and were thoroughly wet, the rain having been pouring in torrents during the time they were at Pwll Hir.

MARYPORT AND WHITEHAVEN. — The barque Cam Tual, of Liverpool, sailed j from Maryport on the 6th October, and on the 9th, at 9 P.M., she was observed to | be showing signals of distress, at which time she was riding in the Sol way between Robin Rigg and Dunrugh Banks, with loss of one anchor. A strong S. to W.S.W. gale was blowing, and the sea was very rough.

The Henry Nixson Life-boat proceeded out, but as the barque had no lights up, she was unable 1o find her, and after searching for her in vain for 5 hours she returned ashore. At 9 A.M. on the fol- lowing morning the Life-boat went out again in tow of a steam-tug. She then found the vessel and brought ashore 9 men, one of whom had meanwhile become insane through fear; the master and mate, however, refused to leave their ship.

Information of the vessel being in dis- tress was also received at Whitehaven, and at about 11.30 A.M. the Life-boat Elizabeth proceeded to her assistance, in tow of a steamer. The barque was reached, and 12 of the steamer's crew were put on board her, when she was taken in tow and brought safely into Whitehaven.

The Silver Medal of the Institution was awarded to Mr. JOHN WEBSTER, Coxswain of the Maryport Life-boat, in recognition of his gallant services in the Boat on this and several former occasions.

ABERSOCH.—On the 10th October, a telegram was received from Barmouth, stating that a vessel was in distress, riding at anchor dangerously near to St. Patrick's Causeway, and that it was impossible for the Barmouth Life-boat to go to her aid, as the gale was blowing right in there.

The Abersoch Life-boat Mabel Louisa, was launched as quickly as possible, and pro- ceeded to the vessel, which proved to be the barque Dusty Miller, of Liverpool, bound from St. John's to Holyhead with a cargo of timber. On arriving by her, the master requested that the Life-boat would stay alongside until the weather moderated. She accordingly remained by her during the night, and at about 6.30 on the following morning a steam-tug from Portmadoc came up, took the barque in tow, and brought her into St. Tudwall's Roads. The wind was blowing a gale from W.S.W. during the performance of this service, accompanied by a heavy sea.

The Second Service Clasp of the Insti- tution was presented to the Rev. OWEN LLOYD WILLIAMS, Honorary Secretary of the Branch, in recognition of his gallant services in the Life-boat on this and on other occasions.

SELSEY.—On the 18th October, signals of distress having been observed, the Life- boat Four Sisters was launched, and pro- ceeded to the Royal Mail steamer Elbe, which had gone ashore on the Puller Bank during a strong E. wind and hazy weather. The Life-boat remained by her until the following morning, when she got off and proceeded on her voyage.

PALLING.—On the 28th October, at 4 A.M., during a fresh westerly wind, signals of distress from the North Has- borough Sands light were heard. The British Workman Life-boat proceeded out, and, when about 3 miles from • the land, picked up a ship's boat containing 6 men.

They proved to be the crew of the schooner Smithfield, of Aberdeen, bound from that port to London with stone, which vessel had stranded on the Hasborough Sands during the night. The master had been left on board the schooner, and the Life- boat therefore proceeded towards her, and with much difficulty succeeded in rescuing him from the rigging, the vessel having sunk. The Life-boat then made for her station, and arrived at about 2 P.M., having been engaged 10 hours in rendering this service.

CAISTER.—On the 6th November, flare lights having been seen in the direction of the Cross Sand, the No. 1 Life-boat Covent Garden proceeded out, and found j the fishing-smack Mystery, of Great Yar- mouth, just off the sand. She was partly dismantled, and had been abandoned by her ! crew. The Life-boat men boarded her, sot j sail, and took her into Yarmouth Roads, where she was anchored until the follow- ing morning. At daylight a steam-tug was engaged, and towed her into Yarmouth Harbour. It was subsequently ascertained that her crew had got on board another fishing-smack. The wind was blowing strongly from the N. at the time, accom- panied by squalls, and the sea was very heavy on the sand.

On the 9th November, the No. 2 Life- boat Godsend went out in reply to signals of distress, and assisted to save the schooner Milky Way, of Fraserburgh, which was in a dangerous position close to the Barber Sands, during a very strong northerly gale and heavy sea. The vessel was on a voyage from Ystero to London, with barley, and carried a crew of 4 men.

On the 14th November, at 4.30 A.M., the No. 1 Life-boat was launched, in reply to signals of distress, shown in the direc- tion of the Middle Cross Sand. She sailed towards the sand, and met a boat con- taining 5 men, the crew of the schooner F. Edwards, of Grimsby. Their vessel had gone ashore on the sand, and become a total wreck, and the crew had taken to their boat, which, when met by the Life-boat, was nearly full of water, and had two oars broken. The men were at once taken into the Life-boat and safely landed at Caister.

On the 19th December, the No. 2 Life- boat put off and rescued the crew of 6 men from the brig Melita, of Blyth, which had stranded during a fresh N.W.

breeze and heavy sea. The Life-boat also brought ashore 10 beachmen who had gone on board the vessel to try to save her from being wrecked.

On the 30th December, at 6.30 P.M., signals of distress having been observed, the No. 1 Life-boat went to the Cross Sand, and found the barque. Palmyra, of South Shields, ashore there. Part of her crew had abandoned her in two boats, and the others were preparing to leave her.

The Life-boat men boarded the vessel, and, finding only 18 inches of water in her, they decided to attempt to save her; and, with the aid of steam-tugs, she was even- tually got off and taken into Yarmouth Roads.

DONNA NOOK, THEDDLETHORPE, AND CLEETHORPES, LINCOLNSHIRE. — A very severe gale occurred on the Lincolnshire coast last November, its violence being experienced more or loss for nearly nine days.

On the 8th, at 8.30 P.M., signals of distress were shown near Grainthorpe Haven, by the brig Matilda, of Laurvig, during a whole gale from the N. and a very rough sea. The Donna Nook Life-boat North Briton was taken along the coast a distance of about five miles, and was then launched, and succeeded in rescuing the crew, consisting of 10 men. The brig, which was bound from Laurvig to Hull with a cargo of ice, became a total wreck.

On the afternoon of the 15th, the gale then blowing very heavily, accompanied by squalls of rain, a vessel was seen drift-ing towards the shore at Donna Nook, which soon afterwards struck on the Hale Sand. The alarm was given at the Life- boat Station of the Institution, and the Boat was quickly got out, but before she could be launched, the vessel fortunately drifted off the sand, and by skilful manoeuvring she rounded the west end of the bank and got away to sea in safety, having narrowly escaped shipwreck. A few hours afterwards, the gale having by no means moderated, signal lights of distress were shown from a vessel in the direction of Tetney Haven, and the Life- boat was again got ready ; but as it was ascertained that, on account of the vast body of water in Grainthorpe Haven, she could not be got across there, rocket signals were made to the next Life-boat Station at Cleethorpes, requiring the ser- vices of their Boat. That Life-boat is named the Manchester Unity, she having been presented to the Institution by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (Man- chester Unity). She promptly proceeded out when the signals of distress were observed, and had to encounter a heavy gale from the N. and a very bad sea ; how- ever, the crew persevered, and found the brigantine Sea Flower, of Seaham, stranded off Grainthorpe. The greatest danger was incurred in rescuing the shipwrecked men, and the Life-boat received some injury by the ship's boat being washed on to her from the deck of the vessel by the heavy seas. The anchor and cable had to be slipped, and several oars and rowing crutches were broken. However, the men did not themselves receive any injury, and they had the satisfaction of landing the whole of the shipwrecked crew in safety.

On the night of the 17th, lights, repeated in quick succession, were seen in the di- rection of the New Sand light, and the Donna Nook Life-boat proceeded to sea, but the unfortunate vessel, which was found to be the Annie, of Montrose, had capsized, and the crew perished, long before the Boat could get to their assist- ance. In launching, on this occasion, great difficulty was experienced; the flood tide coming in so quickly on the flat beach that it floated the Boat off the carriage, which latter had to be abandoned until the tide turned, and some of the launchers and two of the horses had a most narrow escape from drowning, as the water was over the backs of the horses, and they were only liberated just in time. The service was one of the most trying the men had ever experienced, the horses also suffering fearfully. It was a bitter cold night, and they did not get home until four o'clock in the morning.

The men had just placed the horses in the stable, and were taking off their wet clothes, when the signal gun was again fired in quick succession. Fresh horses were pro- cared, and the Life-boat was soon off to a ship ashore near Saltfleet Haven. She was the barque Johann Benjamin, of Memel, bound thence to Hull with a cargo of timber; two of her masts had been cut away, and she had also lost her mizen-top-mast and jibboom, and was altogether in a most dangerous position.

The Theddlethorpe Life-boat had also gone to her aid, and she took off 6 of the crew; 3 went in the Donna Nook Life- boat, but the master and mate declined to leave their ship. Soon after the Donna Nook Life-boat landed, she was once more called out, and proceeded through a very heavy sea to the schooner Briton, of Sandefiord, bound from Charlestown to Frederikshavn with a cargo of coals, which had stranded near Grainthorpe.

On reaching that vessel, it was found that the crew had been got ashore, but that they had left the signals of distress flying.

There were two landsmen on board. An- other vessel—the Russian schooner Krona —also stranded at Donna Nook while the Life-boat was at Saltfleet; her crew of 11 men were saved by some of the boat- men, with the help of three horses. The Life-boat returned to Donna Nook about 3 P.M. on the 18th, the crew having been on service then for nearly twenty-one hours; they were nearly exhausted, but showed a most brave and determined spirit, and were quite ready to go out again in the Life-boat if required, not- .

withstanding their condition. Although too much praise cannot be given to the men who performed such noble services, it may be mentioned that the rewards granted by the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION for these services of the three Life-boats amounted altogether to 241Z.

GORLESTON.—On the 8th November, the Life-boat Leicester went to the assistance of the brigantine Old Goody, of Favers- ham, which had been in collision in the roads. Some of the Life-boat men went on board, and with the help of a steam- tug the vessel was brought safely into the harbour. She carried a crew of 8 men.

On the same day, the Boat again pro- ceeded out, during a heavy N.N.W. gale, and, with the aid of a steam-tug, brought the schooner Zephyr, of Montrose, safely into harbour. She had lost her anchor and chain, her sails had been blown away, and she was leaking, having been on one of the sands. She had a crew of 5 men, and was loaded with cement.

NEWBIGGIN.—On the 8th November, a very heavy gale from the N.E. sprang up at about 10 A.M., and several fishing cobles which had gone out at 4 o'clock, when it was quite calm, were in very great danger. At 1 P.M. the storm in- creased to such an extent that it was deemed advisable to launch the Life-boat, four of the cobles not having returned to port. The Life-boat W. Hopkinson of Srighouse accordingly proceeded out, and accompanied the boats round Newbiggin Point and into the bay, the presence of the Boat being a great encouragement to the men in rounding the point.

RHYL.—On the 8th November, at about 3 P.M., the Jane Dalton Life-boat pro- ceeded to the aid of the sloop Haven, of Liverpool, which had lost her mainsail, and, becoming unmanageable, had been driven ashore at Plastirion Point. The vessel's crew of 3 men were taken into the Life-boat, and safely landed at Rhyl about 3.45. She was bound from Llanddulas to Liverpool with limestone.

ANSTRUTHER.—On the 9th November, the Admiral Fitzroy Life-boat rescued the crew, consisting of 4 men, from the s.s.

Dryad, of Glasgow. The vessel was on a voyage from Montrose to Campbeltown, with barley, and when near the entrance I of the Forth, during hazy weather, her machinery was disabled. She then made for the land under sail, but went ashore amongst the rocks, the water being low at the time. When left by her crew, she was fast filling with water, and was likely to become a total wreck.

LOWESTOFT.—On the 10th November, at about 4 A.M., signals of distress were seen from a vessel on the Holm Sand.

The No. 1 Life-boat Samuel Plimsoll was launched, and on reaching the sand found the s.s. Gorm, of Copenhagen, ashore there. , The Boat went alongside her, took off her crew of 2,1 men, and safely landed them at Lowestoft at about 7.15. The vessel was bound from Kiga to London with oats.

On the 27th November, at 9 P.M., signals were shown by a vessel in Lowestoft North Roads. The No. 1 Life-boat proceeded out in tow of a steam-tug, and brought ashore the crew of 5 men from the schooner Zestoria, of Colchester, which vessel was riding at anchor in the roadstead, but labouring very heavily, her cargo having shifted. On the following morning the vessel was brought into harbour.

THORPE.—On the 10th November, the schooner Margaret, of Goole, riding off Thorpeness during a S.S.W. gale, was observed to drag her anchor. She slipped her cable, but her rudder chains broke, she became unmanageable, and drove on to the rocks. The Thorpe Life-boat Ipswich went to her assistance, and suc- ceeded in rescuing her crew of 5 men, and landed them at Sizewell. The vessel became a total wreck.

RAMSGATE.—On the 13th November, at 3 A.M., during a fresh breeze from the E.N.E., signals were fired from the Gull lightship, in response to which the Brad- ford Life-boat and steam-tug Aid pro- ceeded to the sands, and found a barque ashore there. The Life-boat was slipped from the tug, and sailed towards the vessel. Some of the Life-boat men boarded her, and the master at once requested them to assist to get her off. Part of her ballast was thrown overboard to lighten her, and, on the tide flowing, the head- sail was set, the steamer backed in, and her towing hawser was attached.

After towing for some time, the vessel was got afloat, and was taken into Ramsgate harbour. She proved to be the barque Bideadale, of Southampton, bound from Hull to Southampton in ballast.

BURNHAM.—On the 28th November, the daiidy Henry, of Bridgwater, was seen at anchor off the Gore Sands, with a flag of distress flying. The Burnham Life-boat was launched, and on reaching her, it was found that her sails had been blown away, and that she was leaking; and as the sea was making a clean breach over her, the Life-boat, at the master's request, remained by her until a steamer came to tow her out of her dangerous position.

HARTLEPOOL.—On the 28th November, at about 1.50 A.M., the ketch Escape, of Goole, was observed making for Hartle- pool, and showing signals of distress.

The sea being very high, the No. 3 Life- boat John Clay Barlow put off and went towards her; but before she could be reached, she had drifted on to Middleton beach. It was found that she had 5 feet of water in her hold, and her crew, con- sisting of 4 men, and 3 other persons who were on board her, were therefore taken into the Life-boat and brought safely ashore. The ketch became a total wreck.

CARNSORE.—On the 19th December, the Life-boat Iris was launched to the assist- ance of the dandy Fairy, of Wexford, which vessel is employed as tender to the Tuskar lightship. Her mast had been carried away while wearing, during a fresh N.W. wind and rough sea, and she was lying at anchor close to the Tuskar Bock, with a large quantity of water in her. Her crew, consisting of 6 men, had taken refuge on the rock, and it was only with great difficulty that the Life-boat was enabled to take the men off and bring them safely to land.

SUNDERLAND.—On the 29th December, the Life-boat Florence Nightingale rescued the crew, consisting of 4 men, from the schooner Marianne, of London, which was totally wrecked on Sunderland South Rocks, during a strong S. wind and heavy sea.