THE annexed engraving represents the Store-yard of the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION. It comprises sheds for stowage of Life-boats and their carriages, a rigging loft and ample store-rooms, an office for the storekeeper in charge, and two cottages for the chief and senior assistant riggers, whilst the yard opens on the bank of the Limehouse Cut Canal, in which the harbour trials of new Life-boats take place, and their stability, self-righting and other qualities, are tested before being sent to their stations.

On the left hand is a roomy shed with space for seven Life-boats on their carriages, in which new boats, either spare or waiting for transmission to the coast are placed, whilst in the centre of the sketch is another equally convenient one, with room for six boats and carriages, in which spare boats and others returned from the coast for repair, alteration, or for examination before being condemned and broken up, are ordinarily stowed.

On the right hand are the rigging loft, store-rooms for rope, and other gear, life- belts, &c., in which an ample supply is always kept ready for prompt transmission to the coast as required. Whilst in the foreground on the right are the riggers houses.

At the further end of the yard, oh the left-hand side, will be observed a large crane, by which the Life-boats are hoisted in and out of the canal on occasions of their harbour trials, and capsized to test their self-righting property.

Until about five years ago the Life- boats of the Institution were all fitted at its boat-builder's yards, the ropes and other gear of each boat being separately ordered from the manufacturers. But it was then felt that the fleet of the Institution had attained such magnitude and importance, that to maintain the equipment of 272 Life-boats in a state of thorough efficiency, the time had come for the Institution to establish a store- yard of its own, placed under the charge of a responsible officer as a store-keeper, with resident riggers, whose undivided time and attention should be devoted to its work.

Fortunately the Committee were enabled to meet with the premises we are now describing, a long lease of which was obtained, at a moderate cost, and which, with an outlay of a few hundred pounds, were made in every way suitable and convenient for the purpose for which they were required.

The yard is situated in Poplar, Lime- house, London.