Carrickfergus, co. ANTRIM. — The ROYAL NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTITUTION has formed a new Life-boat station at Carrickfergus, on Belfast Lough, it being considered most important, in view of the great shipping traffic in the Lough, that a second Life-boat establishment should be established there, as it was not thought to be sufficiently protected by the Life- boat at Groomsport, on the opposite side.

There are plenty of fishermen to man the boat, which is kept moored afloat in the harbour, ready for immediate use when needed. The Life-boat provided is a sail- ing and rowing boat, of the self-righting type, 37 ft. long, 9J ft. wide; she rows 10 oars, double-banked, and is fitted with three water-ballast tanks, provided with pings and pumps, by means of which water can be readily admitted or pumped out; there are also two sliding or drop keels to increase the boat's weatherly qualities whilst in deep water, with- out sacrificing the flat floor and light draught so necessary when in shallow water; and she also possesses the rest of the modern improvements, with other characteristics of the boats of the In- stitution in the way of self-righting, self-ejecting water, &c. The cost of the Life-boat and her equipment has been defrayed as a memorial by a gentleman resident in London, who does not wish his name published; in accordance with his request the boat is named the Zaida.