ARDROSSAN. — The ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION has sent to Ar- drossan, on the west coast of Scotland, a new and larger boat, fitted with two drop keels, in the place of the one stationed there a few years since. The new boat is 37 feet long, 8 feet wide, and rows twelve oars, double-banked; it possesses all the latest improvements. In addition to the sliding keels there are three water-ballast tanks. This boat was exhibited last year at the Royal Naval Exhibition at Chelsea, and subsequently took part in the Lord Mayor's procession through the streets of London on the 9th November last. The cost of the new Life-boat and its equip- ment was presented to the Institution by Mrs. SKIRROW, of London, in memory of her late husband, after whom it is named the Charles Skirrow. It was publicly named and launched at its station on Saturday, the 27th February last. The main streets were crowded with the townspeople, who manifested a lively interest in the day's event. The cere- mony of inauguration was conducted in the Assembly Hall, where a large audience had gathered. The Hon. G. E. VERNON, M.P., presided, and was supported on the platform by the Hon. Mrs. VERNON, the Misses VERNON, Major GORDON, 93rd Highlanders, the donor's son; KEPPLE H. FOOTE, Esq., District Inspector of the Institution; Captain WALTERS, Rev. J. D. M'CALL, Mr. J. L. BAILEY, harbour manager; Mr. E. L. ALPINE, Mr. JAMES MUTTER, Mr. JOHN CBAIG, Mr. W. M'GILCHBIST, and several other gentlemen.

The Chairman, in opening the meeting, said that Lord EGLINGTON, who would have been Tery happy to attend, had unfortunately been prevented on account of ill-health. He mentioned some in- teresting facts in connection with the Life-boat branch at Ardrossan. The first Life-boat stationed there by the Institu- tion was the Fair Maid of Perth, in 1870.

In 1880 another boat was substituted.

He understood that when it was in- augurated the Provost mentioned that fifty years previously there had been a Life-boat at Ardrossan. During the last twenty-two years the Ardrossan boats had been the means of saving no less than fifty-five lives. (Applause.) An unfor- tunate accident happened to the 1870 boat on the 1st March, 1880. While bringing off the crew of a barque which had been wrecked on the Horse Island, she capsized, with the result that some lives were lost. A public subscription was started, and 7501. raised, including a sum of 4:001. from the Parent Institution.

This fund was apportioned at the rate of 8s. a week to one family, and 12s. a week to each of the others. The payments were still being made, but in June or July of the current year they would cease, when the fund would be exhausted. He merely mentioned these facts to show that the people of Ardrossan and the neigh- bourhood had proved very strongly, by their handsome subscriptions on that occasion, that they were worthy to possess one of the best Life-boats that could be constructed. The annual subscriptions in support of the branch at Ardrossan compared favourably with any other branch or station. This year they amounted to over 66Z. He trusted that, seeing the new docks would be open very shortly and the population was growing rapidly, their donations would likewise increase. He believed that the new boat was one of the most modern, perfectly constructed, and equipped boats that the ingenuity of man had been able to devise.

The Chairman went on to say that there could not be a better way than Mrs. SKIRROW'S of commemorating the dead.

By her great kindness, which all present felt, she would earn the gratitude of father, mother, brother, sister and son— the friends of those whose lives the boat might be the means of saving in the future. (Applause.) Major GORDON then presented the boat to the Institution and thanked the Chair- man for the kind words he had spoken.

He only wished that his mother (Mrs. SKIRROW) could have been present, but she was taking great interest in the pro- ceedings. He explained how the Life-boat came to Ardrossan. The late CHARLES SKIRROW was one of the kindest and most charitable of men, and was always par- ticularly solicitous of the welfare of sea- men and those at sea in stormy weather.

Shortly after his death, which occurred only a few months ago, Mrs. SKIRROW thought that she could not commemorate his name better than by presenting a Life-boat to be called after him. Mr. SKIRROW was a member of a Yorkshire family, and Mrs. SKIRROW at first naturally wished that the boat should have been put on the Yorkshire coast. She had been informed, however, that there was no need for one there, so it was sent round to Ardrossan.

The gift was gratefully accepted by the District Inspector of Life-boats on behalf of the Parent Institution, and by Mr. BAILEY on the part of the Local Com- mittee.

Immediately after the meeting, prayer was offered by the Rev. J. D. M'CALL, and a hymn was sung, after which an adjourn- ment was made to the beach, when the boat was gracefully named the Charles Skirrow by the Hon. Mrs. VERNON. A procession was afterwards formed, which was joined in by the Coastguard, Volun- teers, Boys' Brigade, Freemasons, Free Gardeners, Foresters and Shepherds.

Headed by a brass band, they marched through the town, the boat being paraded, manned by the crew. The Charles Skirrow was then successfully launched at the new dock. A number of experiments were made to prove the trustworthiness of the boat, in the presence of several thousands of onlookers. The weather was of a favourable description.

GORLESTON.—A new Life-boat of the Norfolk type has recently been despatched by the Institution to Gorleston. It is stationed on the beach at the north en- trance to the river, and it is believed that it will be of material assistance when vessels are stranded on the North Bank. A new house and slipway have been prepared for the use of the boat, from the designs of the Institution's Engineer and Archi- tect. The new boat is 31 feet long, 9 feet wide, and is fitted to row twelve oars double-banked. The cost of this new Life-boat establishment has been defrayed by JAMES MCLAREN SMITH, Esq., of London, and in accordance with his' re- quest the boat is named the Thora Zelma.

GREAT YARMOUTH.—A similar boat has been placed on this station, in lieu of one forwarded there many years ago. It is 1 foot longer, and twelve inches wider, than the new Gorleston boat, but is pre- cisely similar in other respects. The cost of this new Life-boat and its equipment has been defrayed by Mrs. BURGH, of King's Lynn, in memory of her late hus- band, after whom it is named the John Burch. Arrangements were made for a public ceremony on the occasion of the first launch of the Life-boat at its station, on the 14th May last, on the beach oppo- site the Life-boat house.

The MAYOR of Yarmouth presided, and there were also present on the craft, and amongst the spectators, the Mayoress (Mrs. BURTON), Sir EDWARD BIRKBECK, Bart., M.P. (Chairman of the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION), Sir HENRY TYLEB, M.P., and Lady TYLER, Mrs.

BtTBCH, Sir REGINALD BEAUCHAMP, Bart., Mr. C. DIVER (chairman of local branch), Capt. A. P. CLOWES (hon. secretary); Lord SUFPIELD, K.C.B., T. BUBTON STEWARD, Esq., and Mrs. STEWARD, Messrs. W. BROWN, J. H. PELLOWES, A. PEATON, and H. WATSON, Capt. KING, and the Eev. J. H. WARE. The boat was manned by the crew, arrayed in their cork life-belts and scarlet caps, under the command of their coxswain, THOMAS HARVEY, whilst the old coxswain of the Abraham Thomas, GEORGE MILLIGAN, who had worked the boats fifty-four years, during which time they saved 207 lives, was also an interested spectator.

The MAYOR, in opening the proceedings, said he thought this day should be a memorable one in the annals of the town.

They had met to receive a Life-boat from a very generous benefactress. Bound this coast they had an immense amount of work done by the Life-boats which had been sent and were worked by that Insti- tution of which every Englishman was proud, the ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION. They knew that sometimes Yarmouth felt out in the cold, whenever a shipping disaster took place, because they had to. the north of them the gallant Caister men, and they had to the south their Gorleston friends. But they felt that Yarmouth should not be left out altogether, because occasion would arise when the services of the Yarmouth beach- men would be called into requisition, and they might be sure that those beachmen would not be behind-hand in doing their duty. As they had done in the past, so they had every reason to trust they would do in the future. They hoped that this boat would be of extreme use to the borough. They would see how the beach- men would do their work, and when one of those terrible storms came that often arose around the coast during the winter months, and there was necessity for the Life-boat to go out, they would feel satis- fied, he thought, that they had got a boat to satisfy all their requirements. The boat was built by Yarmouth men, and they felt sure that the builders knew all the requirements of her, and that she would bravely answer any severe trial of her capabilities. He then introduced the lady who had kindly given the boat.

(Applause.) Mrs. BURCH (the donor) then addressed a few words to Sir EDWARD BIRKBECK, presenting the boat to him on behalf of the Institution, and trusting that it would answer the purposes for which it was generally intended.

Sir EDWARD BIRKBECK, Bart., V.P., expressed the great pleasure it gave him to receive the gift on behalf of the Insti- tution. The boat so generously presented by Mrs. BURCH was a splendid specimen of her class, and he was sure that the people of Yarmouth would greatly appre- ciate the gift, which he most gratefully acknowledged on behalf of his committee.

Mrs. BUHCH was a Norfolk lady, and he was sure they must be proud of her. It was very gratifying to note that the boat contained all the latest improvements that had been invented, which the old Norfolk and Suffolk boats did not, includ- ing the increased tanks forward in her bows. These tanks had been introduced in consequence of the great Life-boat trials at Lowestoft during the last two or three months. (Applause.) In alluding to these trials, he was certain that the Life-boat men in charge of the boat, and all those who might be present, as well as others who were absent, would most thoroughly appreciate the action taken by the ROTAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTI- TUTION in carrying out those trials, which had been accomplished at very great expense. They were now in a position to state publicly what was the best class of large sailing Life-boats round the coast.

And this decision as to which was the best type was given, not by unpractical men, but on the contrary by very practical and experienced men. Coxswains them- selves were appointed as judges, and these men, who came from different parts of the coast, sent in their decisions directly after every trial took place. Those decisions were placed in a sealed box, and were opened only that 'week, being brought before the General Committee on Thursday, and in a very few days they would see in the public press what the results of the Lowestoft trials had been as far as the large sailing Life-boats were concerned.

He had no doubt that the Committee would come to the conclusion that inas- much as they had carried out these trials of the larger type of boats, it was their duty to carry out other trials, namely, trials connected with what were known as the smaller class of boats, the rowing class. He hoped they would be able to announce before long that they would carry out in the winter the remaining portion of these trials. Though those already carried out had been very expen- sive, yet the results obtained would be so important that he was sure a generous public might be relied upon to assist them. Thus they would, whenever a boat was wanted for a station, be able to say to the coxswains, "Here you are. You know the results of these trials, and you may take what boat you like. You have to risk your own lives to save others, and it is right that you should have every confidence in your boat." (Applause.) He thanked Mrs. BURGH for her great liberality in coming forward in the way she had done. The boat would be most useful to them, and he was sure the crew would, when circumstances required, be ever ready to risk their lives at all hazards to save the lives of those who were in distress. (Applause.) It was most gratifying that here in Yarmouth, and also at Caister, two Norfolk people, Mrs. BURGH and Sir REGINALD BEAUCHAMP, should each have presented a boat in the kind way they had done. It was an example that many others might well follow in other parts of the country. He begged to thank Mrs. BURGH on behalf of the Institution, and now had the pleasure of handing the boat over to Mr. CHARLES DIVER, the chairman of the local branch.

(Applause.) Mr. DIVER, in replying, expressed the warm acknowledgments of his committee to the generous donor and the Institution.

No doubt it was a fact that of late years Life-boat services had not been very fre- quent in Yarmouth. That was not because of any unwillingness on the part of their crew, but because the situation and forma- tion of the coast had rendered these ser- vices more easily performed either by the Caister men on the north or by the Gorleston men on the south. Those pre- sent would remember that the beach in the old days was frequented by men who were always ready to perform Life-boat services, or services in connection with the saving of life, but of late years their occupa- tion had left them. They still had, how- ever, men who were just as noble and ready to go out in the boat, and when a vessel was stranded or wrecked anywhere in that district, the crew of that vessel, he was sure, would see very quickly that the new Life-boat would be launched to their rescue. He referred to a wreck which took place off Yarmouth last October on a dark and fearful night, when there was a heavy gale blowing, the whole horizon being lit up with lightning and the flashes of rockets from the lightships and vessels in distress. Then the old boat was taken along the Drive and launched opposite the Monument, and in a very short time several were rescued, and if any vessel was wrecked in the district in future he had no doubt a similar service would be rendered.

The coxswain, HABVEY, was always ready, and was well backed up by his crew. The Institution was supported by voluntary contributions, supplemented by these munificent gifts received from time to time, and although they had a fair amount of subscribers in the town, still he thought a good many of their friends who lived more inland might support them. He did not think their subscribers should be limited to those living round the coast.

He made these remarks all in good part, and he trusted that the result of these proceedings, which had been made public in the way they had been, for the reason that the Life-boat Institution was one of the most popular institutions in the king- dom, would be a very substantial increase to their funds. He had great pleasure in receiving the gift. (Applause.) A short religious service was then con- ducted by the Rev. J. H. WARE, B.A., after which the boat was named in the orthodox way the John Surch, by Miss JANE BURDEN, a niece of the donor. The boat was then launched, and proceeded on a short trial trip, during which, we understand, it gave every satisfaction to the crew.

MORTHOE, DEVONSHIRE ; GOURDON and MORAY FIRTH, SCOTLAND.—These Life- boat establishments have recently been furnished with new boats of the self- righting type, containing all the latest improvements. The two first-named boats are 34 feet long, 8 feet wide, and row ten oars, the last-named being 36 J feet long, 7 feet wide, and rowing twelve oars double-banked. The cost of all three boats has been defrayed from a munificent legacy bequeathed to the Institution by the late Rev. THEOPHILUS SIDNEY ECHALAZ, of Surbiton, Surrey, whose name each boat bears.

MOELFRE (ANGLESEY), and SUNDEB- LAND (SOUTH PIEB).—New self-righting Life-boats have also been provided for these old-established stations. That for the former station is a 39 feet by 9 feet boat, rowing twelve oars double-banked, and like its predecessor, which was the gift of the late Mrs. ATHERTON HOWARD, of Cheltenham, it is named the Star of Hope ; it is fitted with two sliding keels, and three water ballast tanks. The Sun- derland new boat is also a twelve-oared boat, and is 34 feet long and 7£ feet wide.

The cost of this Life-boat, which is named the Junius, has been defrayed from a special contribution to the Institution made as a " Thank-offering " by a gentle- man living in Northumberland, since de- ceased, who did not wish his name to be published, for a Life-boat of the most ap- proved type, provided with a transporting carriage and life-belts for crew, to be placed on an English station where a boat- house already exists. The sum of 501. is to be divided amongst the crew who shall man the boat the first .time life is saved at the imminent hazard of their own lives.

He also gave 2502. to be added to the Institution's fund for rewarding Life- boat men for injuries received on service.