SOUTHEND (ESSEX).—During a heavy gale from the S.W. and a rough sea, on the 14th October, the Boys of England Life-boat rescued the crews, consisting of four men in all, from the distressed barges Butcher and Maria, of Eochester.

The barges were bound from Leigh to London with straw. The Life-boat afterwards rendered some assistance in towing the barge Violet, which had been aground on the Maplin Sands, and had been abandoned by her crew..