IT will be remembered that in September, 1890, the Steam Life-boat Duke of Northumberland was stationed at Harwich for the purpose of experiment. There she gained golden opinions from her crew.

Between September, 1890, and August, 1892, she went out on service no less than fifteen times, and contributed to the saving of thirty-three lives and two vessels. In February last she was sent to Lowestoft, to take part in the towing tests in connection with the competitive trials of Sailing Life-boats. She remained there about six weeks and most favour- able reports were received of her satis- factory behaviour under very trying circumstances. She was tried towing another Life-boat, also passing through heavy breakers, as well as steaming against a tug towing a Life-boat, in bad weather and a heavy sea with most satis- factory results. She was put to the last- named test to enable a comparison to be drawn between the two methods of reaching a wreck. The steam-tug was computed to be going 7£ knots, and the Steam Life-boat kept up with her, the tug being then as hard pressed against the sea as was prudent.

The Committee having decided to trans- fer the Duke of Northumberland to Holy- head for further experiments, she left Harwich at the end of July, calling at Cowes en route, just in time to find the " Cowes week " in full swing. Here she was thoroughly inspected on the 4th August by H.K.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES, who had previously expressed a wish to see her. His Royal Highness was received on board by Sir EDWARD BIRKBECK, Bart.

(Chairman of the Institution), Colonel FiTzRoy CLAYTON (Deputy Chairman), Captain Sir SYDNEY WEBB, K.C.M.G., Deputy Master of the Trinity House, and Sir EDWARD H. WILLIAMS-BULKELEY, Bart. (Members of the Committee). Captain FULLERTON, E.N., A.D.C., Captain of the Royal Yacht, and Captain HOLFORD, Equerry, were in attendance on His Royal Highness; Mr. CHARLES E. F. CUNNINGHAME GRAHAM, the Inspector of the District, was in charge of the boat.

His Royal Highness gave instructions for the boat to be taken round to Osborne Bay, and whilst there she was put through various manoeuvres to show her handiness, such as turning both with using the helm and without, picking up a life-buoy when going full speed ahead, &c. The boat then proceeded back to Cowes. On leaving her His Royal Highness expressed the warmest approval of her and what he had seen of her working, and trusted that before long many more Steam Life-boats would be placed on the coast at the most desirable places, as this boat had proved such a success.

The following day H.I.M. the EMPEROR OF GERMANY with his suite, which included Admiral Sir EDMUND COMMERBELL, A.D.C., also inspected the boat. The Kaiser went for a short run in her, and on leaving His Majesty expressed his high approval of her design and capabilities.

She then underwent a thorough over- haul at Southampton, and subsequently proceeded to Holyhead. After she has been there for a time she will probably be removed to another port, in order that she may be fully tried under all the varying conditions with which this class of Life-boat has to contend on different parts of the coast.