SOUTHEND, CANTYRE.—The Life-boat John R. Ker was launched at 10.30 P.M.

on the 17th February, and remained by the S.S. State of Georgia, of Glasgow until two steamers arrived on the following morning and took her in tow, she having broken her shaft when some distance from the Island of Sanda. So strong was the tide that the Life-boat could not reach the vessel until 5.30 in the morning. In fact, the crew had the utmost difficulty in getting to the ship at all, and so much exhausted were they by the hard pulling necessitated, especially in rounding the island, that they had on one occasion to seek shelter, and on another they were driven back by the tide. They bravely persevered, however, in their attempt, and at last reached the vessel, which had been firing rockets daring the night as signals of distress..