NEWBIGGIN-BY-THE-SBA, NORTHUMBERLAND.

—A signal of distress was made by a vessel northward of Newbiggin point, on the morning of the 9th Jan. 1889. The wind was blowing a gale from the S.E., the sea was very rough, and the darkness intense. The coxswain of the Life-boat at once fired the signal for the crew to assemble, and at four o'clock the Lifeboat Robert, and Susan was launched and proceeded to the scene of the wreck, when it was found that the s.s. Lady Katherine, of Sunderland, bound for that port from Uddevalla, Sweden, with pit props, had run ashore on the Outcars Bock, half-a-mile N. of Newbiggin. Owing to the darkness it was a difficult matter to ascertain the position of the steamer, but eventually the Life-boat men succeeded in rescuing the crew of sixteen men and two passengers, and landed them at 7 o'clock.

On the morning of the 15th February nine fishing boats proceeded to the fishing ground about eight or nine miles from the land. Shortly after having shot their lines they were overtaken by a heavy gale from the N., and a very rough sea, and when about three miles from the shore on their way home they were seen to be in great periL The Life-boat Robert and Susan was therefore launched at 11 o'clock, went to their assistance, and remained afloat until the Boats had safely landed, returning to her station at 2 P.M.

PETERHEAD.—On the morning of the 9th January, a mounted messenger gave information at the Life-boat Station that a vessel was ashore on Scotstown Head, about five or six miles N. of Peterhead.

The Life-boat temporarily placed here while the boat belonging to the station was being altered and improved was launched at about 9.20, and proceeded under canvas to the stranded vessel, which proved to be the brig Staatsrath von Brock of Rostock, bound from Dantzic for Peterhead, with a cargo of timber. On arriving alongside, the Life-boat was struck by a heavy sea, driven on the top of » sandbank, and filled with water, and three of her crew were thrown into the surf, but were speedily rescued. On the boat freeing herself, which she did almost immediately, the crew of the vessel, consisting of nine men, were taken into the Lifeboat by means of a rope, and she then remained near the vessel for some time, so as to be at hand to assist should there be any chance of saving the ship. - There did not, however, appear to be any probability of her floating, and the Life-boat therefore made for the shore, landing the rescued persons at Fraserburgh, at about 1 P.M., a strong head breeze and heavy sea preventing her from reaching her station until the following day.

On the 15th January intelligence having been received that a vessel had stranded at Kirkton Head, the Life-boat was launched at 9.20 A.M., and sailed to the vessel which was reached about 9.45.

A gale of wind was blowing from the 8.8.W., and there was a heavy sea on. An attempt was first made by a steam-tug to tow off the vessel, which was the schooner Arnold, of Copenhagen, bound from Iceland for Santander, with a cargo of dried fish; but these efforts failed, and the crew, five in number, were then taken off by the Life-boat, which afterwards returned to her station in tow of the steam-tug.

MONTROSE.—During a moderate breeze from the E.S.E. on the 12th January, the brig Bazar, of Oscarshamn, laden with pit props for the Tyne, was seen off Montrose, steering northwards, trying to clear the land, but evidently becoming embayed. She was watched for a short time, and it being seen that she could not clear Milton Ness, the Montrose No. 1 Life-boat Augusta was launched at 10.45 A.M., to proceed to her assistance. When the boat had gone about two-thirds of the way to her, the brig was observed to wear, presumably with the intention of proceeding southward again, but she was soon afterwards seen to be running ashore.

The Life-boat was then turned to the northward inside the breach of the sea as the safest and quickest way of reaching the vessel. The crew had an exceedingly heavy pull for about two miles, the boat having frequently to be brought head to sea to meet the heavy breakers she encountered.

The waves continuously broke over her, and one heavy one nearly washed the coxswain overboard. When it was noticed by those on shore that the brig had altered her course, and was standing for the land, it was thought that the Augusta Life-boat would experience difficulty in reaching her in time, and the No. 2 Lifeboat, Roman Governor, of Caerhun, which had been taken along the beach, and was abreast of the vessel, was therefore launched, succeeded in getting alongside the vessel, and took off her crew consisting of six men, safely landing them about 12 noon.

A very heavy storm of wind and snow was experienced here on the 8th February, and the- sea broke heavily amongst the rocks. The schooner Mary, of Montrose, coal laden from Methill for Balta Sound, brought up at anchor north of the harbour and. shortly after 7 o'clock in the evening she was being towed in, but when close to the entrance, the tow-rope broke in consequence of the violence of the sea, and the vessel drifted close to the rocks of Scurdy Ness, and anchored four or five fathoms from the Stone rock. The tug proceeded up the river to obtain the services of a Life-boat. At 7.30 the signal was fired, the crew mustered promptly, and in ten minutes the Montrose No. 1 Life-boat Augusta was launched, and taken in tow by the tug. On nearing the Leads Buoy the Life-boat left the steamer, pulled to the endangered schooner and succeeded in rescuing her crew of five men, one at a time, as the heavy seas permitted, the Life-boat being then not much more than her own length distant from the line of rocks. When all were taken on board the boat pulled back against wind and sea to the tug, and was towed back to Montrose, arriving there at 8.30. Within an hour after the men had been landed the vessel had disappeared.

On the morning of the 11th February the Ferryden fleet of fishing boats, about fifty in number, left Montrose for the fishing grounds, the wind blowing then a moderate breeze from the N. About 11 o'clock the wind increased, and a heavy sea was soon breaking across the bar.

The assistant coxswains of the Life-boats, who had been out fishing, returned ashore and represented the danger some of the boats would be in, and it was therefore decided to launch the No. 1 Life-boat Augusta as the sea was becoming heavier.

The boat put off at 2.10 P.M., and remained afloat until 5.45, by which time all the boats which intended to return to Montrose had got safely in. Several of the smaller boats ran south and took shelter at Usan, Arbroath, and other places.

Again, on the 10th May, the fishing boats were overtaken by a heavy sea, which sprang up very suddenly and which was felt all along the east coast of Scotland.

The boats made with all speed for the harbour. One of them, the yawl Wanderer, in crossing the bar, was struck by a heavy sea, which knocked the helmsman from his post, and caused the boat to roll so heavily that she shipped water at both sides ; however, she fortunately got in safely. The Nautilus, also, rolled over until her sails touched the water, and had a narrow escape. As she passed the Lifeboat house her skipper hailed for the Life-boat to be launched as there were other boats in danger. Accordingly, the Augusta was at once taken afloat, pulled lown to the Bar, and convoyed the boats in. It is believed they would not have attempted the passage had not the Lifeboat been there. Just as she was turning to accompany them, she was struck on her port bow by a heavy sea, hove on her eam ends and half filled with water.

Sowever, she righted and freed herself )f water immediately, and the crew were much pleased with the way in which she recovered herself.

Three days afterwards the same Life- oat was called out to the aid of the icrring boat British Sovereign, which had Iriven on the Annat Bank. When the life-noat reached her she was taking the sea heavily on the starboard quarter and pould soon have got broadside on when .he would have filled with water and sunk.

"he Life-boat got near her, and took out her anchor in a S.Easterly direction which kept her stern on to the sea. Eventually steam-tug came out, and the Life-boat passing a line to her, she was towed ff and taken into harbour. But for the mmediate assistance of the Life-boat, the ix fishermen would undoubtedly have een drowned, as no ordinary boat could ave approached them with safety.

ALNMOUTH, NORTHUMBERLAND. — The rig Fortuna, of Eiga, stranded on Birling arr Rocks, on the morning of the 8th January. On the following morning three f her crew left in the ship's boat, and reached the shore, five others were rescued by the rocket apparatus, but the master of the vessel refused to leave her, and afterwards either was unwilling or unable to avail himself of the proffered assistance, although two lines were fired right across the ship. On the 11th at about 7 P.M.

the Life-boat Allen Scott was launched, and attempted to reach the vessel, but owing to the heavy seas was unable to get near her and was compelled to return.

On the following day the boat was taken along the coast opposite to where the vessel was lying, launched at about 5.30 P.M., and succeeded in rescuing the man.

The mate of the vessel went out in the Life-boat so as to be able to speak to the captain in his own tongue and induce him to leave his perilous position, and come ashore in the boat.

HOLYHEAD.—On the morning of the 16th January, a rocket, apparently fired about seven miles N.W. of Holyhead, was seen by the coastguard. The crew of the Life-boat Thomas Fielden were called, and the boat was launched at 4.10 being token in tow by the steam-tug Merry Andrew.

After steaming in a N.W. direction for about an hour without seeing any vessel in distress, rockets were observed further to the N.W., and ultimately the s.s. Lee, of Cork, was discovered in a sinking condition.

She had broken her propeller which penetrated her timbers, causing her afterhold to fill with water. Thirteen passengers, who were in two of the steamer's boats were taken into the Lifeboat, and the boats were cut adrift in a sinking state, having been exposed to a heavy sea, with a strong S.S.W. wind.

The steam-tug took the vessel in tow to Holyhead, the Life-boat remaining astern ready to take off the crew should it become necessary to do so.

The coastguard on duty having observed a schooner part her cable, and drift towards the heavy breakers in the S.E. part of the bay on the 9th February, during a N. by W. wind, a very rough sea, and heavy storms of snow and hail, the crew of the Life-boat Thomas Fielden were summoned, and at 2.30 A.M. the boat was launched, got alongside the vessel, and rescued her crew, consisting of four men, landing them at 4 A.M. The vessel was the schooner Enterprise, of Dublin.

RAMSGATE.—At 12.45 A.M. on the 27th January, during a fresh N. breeze, the Life-boat Bradford, in tow of the steamtug Vulcan, left the harbour in response to signal guns which had been fired by the light-vessels. On Hearing the North Sand Head, a -vessel burning flares was sighted stranded there. When within a moderate distance the Life-boat was slipped from the tug, and sailed to the •vessel, which, proved to be the schooner Jannett and Jane, of Carnarvon, bound from Rochester for Belfast, with a cargo of cement, and carrying a crew of three men. Endeavours were made to save the vessel, and when the tide flowed the steamtug backed in towards her, taking the sand in doing so, and remaining aground about half-an-hour. A tow-rope was passed to the schooner, and when the water rose, the steamer commenced the attempt to tow her off. After towing about an hour the rope broke, but it was again attached, and at 7 A.M. she was got afloat, and was taken to Ramsgate harbour, arriving there at 8.30.

Guns having been fired by the Gull lightvessel, the Life-boat Bradford, and steamtug Vulcan, proceeded out at 11.30 P.M. on the 8th February, in a high sea, with a strong W.N.W. wind. They proceeded to the N.W. spit of the Goodwin Sands, on Hearing which the Life-boat was slipped from the tug, and went alongside the stranded vessel, which was found to be the schooner Ethel, of Faversham, bound from Newhaven in ballast. The sea was making a clean breach over her, and as she had four feet of water in her the crew of six men were taken into the Life-boat.

While this was being done the assistant coxswain of the boat was knocked overboard, but was fortunately rescued. Sail was then made for the tug, and the Lifeboat was towed back to her station, reaching the harbour at 3.30 A.M.

The Life-boat Bradford, and steam-tug Vulcan, were called out by guns from the Gall Light-vessel, and a flare on the Goodwin Sands at 8 P.M. on the 21st February, during a fresh breeze from the N. On Hearing the sands the Life-boat left the tug and sailed alongside the vessel, which was the fishing lugger Verbena, of Lowestoft, made fast to her, and advised the master to stow the sails. A heavy sea was breaking on board her, and, as the tide flowed, she drove over the gaud, her crew of eight men and their effects being taken into the Life-boat. On the vessel driving into deeper water it was found that she leaked so badly arid ma settling down so quickly that she was abandoned, there being no possible chance of saving her. The Life-boat then sailed to the tug, and was towed back to the harbour, arriving at 4 o'clock on the following morning.

NEWBURGH, ABERDEENSHIRE.—Signals of distress having been seen from a vessel stranded on the North Sands during a moderate S.W. wind and a choppy sea, on the 27th January, the crew of the Lifeboat 'Alexander Charles and William Aird were summoned, and promptly responded; willing hands soon had the boat launched into the river, and at midnight she was on her way to the sands. Oa reaching them, the steam trawler Gannet, of Granton, was found stranded on the North bank of the river Ytham. With some difficulty her crew, consisting of eight men, were taken into the Life-boat, and safely landed at 2 AM.

PENZANCE.—The trawler Blue Sell, of Plymouth, returning to Penzance from the fishing grounds, went ashore on the Eastern Green about half-a-mile from Penzance, her cable having parted during a S.W. wind, squally weather, and a rough sea, oil the 29th January. The Life-boat Dora was launched at 4.15 A.M., proceeded to the vessel, and brought ashore her crew, consisting of four hands.

LLANAELHAIAKN, NORTH WALES.—On the 29th January, the coxswain of the Life-boat observed a schooner which proved to be the Renown, of Swansea, coal laden from Cardiff for Amlwch, in distress, apparently making for Llanaelhaiarn, and knowing the dangerous nature of the bay leading to the port, he feared she would sir ike against the rocks running across part of the bay on which the water is very shallow at low tide and which are some distance from the shore. The Life-boat temporarily placed here while the station's boat was being altered and improved was therefore launched, and proceeded to the help of the vessel, which fortunately passed safely through the danger, and the coxswain then gave information to the master as to the best direction in which to lake her. The Life-boat returned to the shore at about 11.30 A..M. Half an hour afterwards another vessel, the schooner Ceres, of and for Carnarvon, from Cardiff, with a cargo of coal, Toeing seen in a dangerous position, the Life-boat again put off, and guided her into safety. This vessel had lost her main boom, sails, &c., and the Renown also bore traces of haying been exposed to a great storm.

THURSO, — Flare lights were burnt by the schooner Bonnie Lass, of Wick, bound for Castle Hill, in ballast, which was riding in Scrabster Roadstead, during a violent gate from the N.W., and a terrible sea on the 2nd February. The Life-boat Charley Lloyd was launched at 7.30 A.M., was let down towards the vessel by means of lines, rescued the crew consisting of four men, and safely landed them at 9 o'clock.

BRIDLINGTON. — On the 3rd February a signal of distress was observed from the lugger Garibaldi of Gravelines, which was riding in the roadstead about a mile and a half south of the harbour. The Lifeboat William John and Frances was launched at 7.30 P.M., proceeded under sail to the vessel, and found that she had been in collision, and partly disabled, and as a heavy sea was running, and the wind was blowing a gale from the N.E., the crew of five men were taken into the Life-boat and brought ashore.

Signals of distress were shown by the barque Mitford, of and for I Newcastle, from Goole in ballast, during a strong N.E, gale and a heavy sea on the 3rd February. The Life-boat Manchester Unity was launched at 10.30 P.M., but the vessel stranded about a mile and a half above Grimsby, before the boat reached her. The Life-boat grounded near the barque, remained there during the night, and brought the master and his son ashore on the following morning, the remainder of the crew staying on board the vessel.

BROADSTAIRS. — Signals having been shown by the barque Jane Kilgour, of Dundee, during a strong gale from the N.E., snow squalls and a very heavy sea, on the 4th February, the Life-boat Christopher WoMd, Bradford, was launched at 1.30 P.M., and proceeded to the assistance of the vessel, which was found to have lost both her anchors. The Life-boat men boarded her and took her safely into Ramsgate harbour. She was bound from Alloa, Scotland, for Barbadoes, with a cargo of coal, and had a crew of eight men.

FLAMBOROUGH.—The wind rose suddenly at about 9 A.M. on the 8th February, and continued to increase in force until, at about 10.30, it was blowing a fierce gale from the N.W., and there was a heavy sea.

As some of the fishing cobles were in considerable danger the No. 1 Life-boat Mary Frederick, put off to their assistance, taking two extra men on board, who were transferred to two of the boats requiring help. The Life-boat kept in company with the cobles, remaining in their rear until they were considered out of danger.

It being impossible for the boat to return to her station then, on account of the wind and tide, her anchor was let down, and she rode until the wind somewhat abated, when the anchor was taken up and the boat made for the south station.

RAMSEY, ISLE OF MAN.—At 4 P.M. on the 8th February, a signal of distress was hoisted by the cutter Patrick, of Peel, coal laden from Whitehaven for Killough, which was riding heavily with three anchors down, and dragging them about a mile and a half east of the "Victoria Ker.

The Life-boat Mary Isabella was promptly launched, proceeded to the assistance of the vessel, and safely landed her crew, consisting of four men.

A flag was observed on a schooner at anchor about two miles off the harbour during a moderate breeze from the W.S, W. on the 13th February. The trawl boat Nerbudda was seen to speak her and the flag was hauled down. On the arrival of the Nerbudda she reported that the vessel was the Brilliant, of Peel, coal laden, with her upper sails blown away, her top gallant mast .broken, leaking badly and requiring assistance to pump and bring her into the harbour. The Life-boat Mary Isabella at once went to her, put some men on board, and brought the vessel and her crew of four men safely into port.