RYE, SUSSEX.—On the 10th February, at about 2.30 A.M., signals of distress were shown by a vessel off Jury's Gap.

The wind was blowing strongly from the S.W., and the sea was heavy at the time.

The Rye Life-boat was launched, and got to windward of the vessel, but the anchor dragged, and she drifted to leeward, in spite of hard pulling. Eventually the coxswain considered that it would be best to beach the Boat, arid have her taken along the shore to windward of the vessel.

He therefore landed and procured sixhorses, but they failed to move the i Life-boat and carriage over the heavy shingle, and four more horses were then obtained, but still it was found impossible to get the Boat along the beach. Ultimately she was taken off her carriage and dragged over the beach by men. After great exertions the Boat was again launched, and got alongside the vessel, when a communication was effected by means of the grapnel, and two of the seamen were taken from the rigging into the Life-boat. When about to rescue the remaining man, a tremendous sea broke over the Life-boat, and washed out one of her crew, straightened the grapnel, and broke the Boat's cable, causing her to drift to leeward. The Life-boatman was fortunately picked up, but the boat could not then regain the wreck, and she had to be beached. The man left on board the vessel was rescued by means of the Rocket Apparatus and the Coastguard galley. The vessel proved to be the sloop Sophia Holten, of Plymouth, bound from London to Jersey with a cargo of wheat. She became a total wreck..