RAMSGATE. — During a moderate breeze from the N.W., and in cloudy and misty weather, on the 21st January, guns were heard from the direction of the Goodwin Sands. The steam-tug Aid and the Lifeboat Bradford were at once manned, and left the harbour at 1 2.30. On arriving near the N.W. spit of the Goodwin Sands, a barque and a brigantine were observed ashore. The Life-boat was slipped, and rowed alongside the brigantine, which proved to be the Black Diamond, of Guernsey, bound from Shields to St. Brieuc, France, with a cargo of coal. The master engaged the services of the Lifeboat and tug. At the same time a lugger was seen alongside the barque. On the tide flowing, the steamer backed in, and towed the brigantine's anchor out in a N.W. direction ; a large hawser was then passed to the vessel, and the tug commenced towing, and continued doing so for about two hours, the crew of the Life-boat meanwhile assisting to heave on -the windlass, and also helping at the pumps. Eventually the vessel's head was moved, but, the tide falling, they failed to get her afloat, and the master then requested them to remain and try again on the following tide. At about 6 o'clock on the next morning, just before high water, the tug again backed in and commenced towing, the crew, as before, heaving at the windlass. They continued for two hours, but the tide again falling, they were unable to move her, and the towrope was then slipped and hauled on board. The master of the barque, which was lying near the edge of the sand, her anchor having been taken out by the lugger, then hailed the steam-tug to tow his vessel into a place of safety. Accordingly her tow-rope was hauled on board, and the steamer commenced towing; the barque's anchor was hove up, and she was taken to a safe anchorage in the Downs.

She was the Karoon, of Truro, U.S., 447 tons, bound from Yarmouth to New York, with a part cargo of scrap iron.

The steamer then returned to the brigantine, the Life-boat in the meantime having remained alongside. On the tide again flowing, the wind and sea increased, causing the vessel to strain and leak badly, and although the pumps were kept constantly at work, they were unable to keep the water under. At about 5 P.M., there being six feet of water in the hold, and the water still rising and gaining on the pumps, it was decided to abandon her, and the crew, consisting of 6 men, were then taken into the Life-boat, which proceeded, in tow of the steamer, to Ramsgate Harbour, where they arrived at about 5.30 P.M. on the 22nd January. On the following morning the brigantine was seen to have sunk in the sands, her masts alone being visible.