AYR.—While the barque Beech Holm, of Sunderland, bound from Ayr for Cape Town with a cargo of coal, was being towed out of the harbour on the evening of the 28th March, the tow-rope slipped from her, and before it could be recovered she drifted on the St. Nicholas rock, W.S.W. of the harbour. A strong W.N.W.

wind was blowing at the time accompanied by a heavy sea. The Life-boat Janet Hoyle was launched at 9.30 and rescued the vessel's crew, consisting of fourteen men, who were in considerable danger..