WALMER.—On the 6th Feb., 1897, in response to guns and rockets, the reserve Life-boat temporarily placed on this station was launched at about 3.45 A.M., proceeded to the South Sand Head light- vessel, and ascertained that she had been run into by a barquentine, and that three of the vessel's crew were on board the lightship. It was further stated that the barquentine had drifted towards the sands, and the Life-boat searched for her but failed to discover her. At dawn the Dover steam-tug took the boat in tow, and shortly afterwards the vessel was seen flying a signal denoting that she was in need of help. On reaching her the Life- boat men, finding that she had lost her bowsprit and all her head-gear, rendered assistance, and ultimately the steamer took her in tow to Dover.

On the 7th June the Life-boat was again called out. and proceeded to the aid of the ship Micronesia, of Liverpool, which had her cargo of nitrate on fire.

Two steam-tugs and a Deal galley were in attendance on the vessel, some of her crew being on board one of the tugs, and at the request of the captain the Life- boat remained by the ship, towing astern in case of emergency, until she was put ashore on Deal beach.

PEEL, ISLE OF MAN.—The smack Orion, of Ramsey, arrived in Peel Bay, from Anna- long, early on the evening of the 20th February. During the evening, the wind increased to a tremendous gale from W.N.W. As the smack was dragging her anchor, a second one was dropped, but she rode very heavily, and as the heavy seas were breaking into her, signals of distress were shown, in response to which the reserve Life-boat placed here in the temporary absence of the station's own boat, was launched at 11.30 P.M., and an hour afterwards returned with the vessel's crew of three men. On the following day the smack, which had ridden oat the gale, was safely berthed in the harbour.

CAISTER, NORFOLK. — On the 21st February some of the crew and beachmen on board the s.s. Varna, of London, which had been lying on Caister beach since stranding there on the 23rd January, hoisted a flag. A moderate gale had suddenly sprung up from N.W. with heavy squalls, and there was a heavy sea.

The No. 2 Life-boat Beauchamp was launched at 7 A.M., proceeded to the vessel and remained at anchor near her until she floated at midnight on the 22nd February.

On the 28th April the Life-boat Beauchamp was again called out. A yawl had been employed to assist in getting the brigantine Watch, of Hull, off the Middle Cross Sand, where she had stranded in very thick weather. The state of the weather was so uncertain that the crew of the yawl sent a message ashore, in response to which the Life-boat proceeded to the scene at 8 P.M., and stood by until the vessel floated at 7 o'clock on the following morning.

POINT OF AYR (FLINTSHIRE), and HOYLAKE (CHESHIRE). — On the 21st February, during a whole gale from W.

with a very heavy sea, intelligence was received that rockets were being fired in the direction of Lime Wharf. The Point of Ayr Life-boat proceeded out and found the flat Ann Grace, of Liverpool, coal laden from Point of Ayr for Cemaes, un- manageable, and her crew of two men desirous of being taken off. They got into the Life-boat and were safely landed.

The vessel was picked up on the follow- ing day by the Hoylake Life-boat Coard William Squarey, which had been out with the view of assisting another vessel, and observing the flat drifting near the.

West Hoyle bank, made for her and, with considerable difficulty, took her into port.

On the 7th May two fishing-smacks, the Polly and Oiling On, of Pargate, were seen aground on the West Hoyle Bank in a perilous position, a strong breeze blow- ing from the W.N.W. The Life-boat H. G. Powell, stationed at Point of Ayr, put off at 7.30 A.M., was towed by a steam-tug, rendered a-sistance to the Oiling On and stood by the Polly, which was in a less dangerous position, until she floated.

WEXFORD.—While the fishing fleet were returning, on the 2nd March, a strong gale having suddenly sprung up from S.S.W. with a rough sea, one of the boats was observed to fly signals of dis- tress, and another, with her sails blown away, anchored in broken water on the N.W. side of the bar. The Life-boat Andrew Pickard put off at noon, and, sailing over the bar, proceeded to the first-mentioned boat, and advised her crew to anchor and wait for a steam-tug which had been summoned by telephone.

The Life-boat then made for the other boat, the yawl Fairy Queen, which was in a dangerous position, and, having veered down to her, succeeded with some difficulty in getting a rope on board, and hauled her into deep water, remaining by her until the arrival of the tug, which towed her into the harbour. She had a crew of four men. t Daring very thick weather, on the 23rd March, intelligence was received that a fishing-boat was aground on the N. side of the bar. A moderate gale was blowing from S.S.W., and the sea was rough. At 4.30 P.M., the Life-boat Andrew Pickard went out to her assist- ance, and found she was the yawl Arctic, returning to Wexford from the fishing grounds., She was beating heavily on the sands, but, as there was a probability that if she was not rendered leaky she would float with the rising tide, the Life-boat remained close to her. In about half an hour she forged into deep water with the loss of both anchors. As she needed no further assistance, the Life- boat returned to her station.

APPLEDOBE, DEVON. — The Life-boat Robert and Catherine was launched at 7.45 P.M. on the 2nd March, and rescued the crew of three men from the ketch John, of and for Bideford, from Lydney with coal, which was totally wrecked near the bar buoy, in a strong W.S.W. gale, a very heavy sea and thick weather.

SUNDERLAND (SOUTHPORT —The S.S. Jacinth,* of Dundee, in ballast from Montrose for Sunderland, in making for the south entrance, on the night of the 2nd March, struck on the South Beacon rocks and was badly holed. The wind was blowing a moderate gale from S.S.E.

at the time, and there was a heavy sea.

In response to her signals of distress, the crew of the Life-boat Junius were sum- moned, and at 11.30 the Life-boat was launched, proceeded to the vessel and gallantly rescued her crew, consisting of eleven hands. The steamer became a total wreck.

SOUTHEND, ESSEX.—A gale of wind having sprung up on the 2nd March, it was feared that the barge Ada, which had arrived from London with a load of granite, would be in need of help. She was lying about half a mile S.E. of the pier-head. The coxswain and crew of the Life-boat Theodore and Herbert pro- ceeded to the head of the pier at about 9 P.M. and remained on the watch until midnight, when it was seen that the vessel was driving, and they at once pro- ceeded in the Life-boat to her assistance.

At the master's request some of the Life- boat men went on board to help to get her anchor up, and she was taken to Southend.

The Life-boat returned at 5 A.M., and at 2 P.M. was again called out by telegraph from Lloyd's signal station. The crew were summoned, and on proceeding down the pier saw a barge, with a flag in her rigging, about a mile E. of the pier.

The topmast had been carried away, her sprit was broken in three places, and the mainsail was hanging in ribbons to the mast. The Life-boat proceeded to her and found she was the Charles Little, of Rochester, and that in addition to the loss of spars, &c., her boat had been sunk.

The Life-boat men endeavoured to weigh anchor so as to get her in shore. They tried hard for an hour but could not succeed, and, as a whole gale was blowing from the W. with a rough sea and the tide was ebbing, the crew of two men were taken into the Life-boat and safely landed.

SOUTHSEA.—On the 3rd March while a strong gale was blowing, the weather being very cold and thick, with squalls of rain and hail, intelligence was received that a vessel was in distress and that the Warner Light Vessel was sending up rockets. At 7 A.M. the Life-boat Hey- land was launched and proceeded, under sail, towards the vessel, shipping several seas on the way, and reached her just in time to rescue her crew of two men, as her boat astern was full of water and the vessel foundered soon after her crew had been taken off. She was the ketch Fox of Cowes, laden with stoneware pipes from Poole for Eroding, Isle of Wight.

On account of the strength of the wind it was feared that the Life-boat would find it very difficult to accomplish her return journey, and an application was therefore made for one of the Govern- ment tugs to be allowed to tow her back to her station. The request was most readily and kindly granted by the Admiral Superintendent of Portsmouth Dockyard, and the steam-tug Dromedary was des- patched to the boat's assistance and brought her safely back with the rescued men.

CLOVELLY.—The smack Telephone, of and for Padstow from Newport, coal laden, parted one of her cables in Lundy Roads, in a moderate gale from N.N.W. and a rough sea, on the 3rd March, and was obliged to slip the other to avoid being driven ashore. She drifted about between Lundy and Hartland Point, losing most of her sails, and finally ran for Clovelly. Intelligence of her being in distress having reached the Clovelly Life- boat Station the crew were at once sum- moned, and the Life-boat Elinor Roget proceeded out and met the smack about five hundred yards westward of the pier.

The Life-boat's anchor and cable having been taken on board she was anchored, and her crew of three men were brought safely ashore. At high water the Life- boat again went out and brought the vessel into harbour.

BURNHAM.—On the morning of the 3rd March the barque Nornen, having drifted up the Channel from Lundy Island and having lost all her sails, went Aground on the Burrows Hats, in a whole gale from W.N.W., a heavy sea and thick weather, with snow. As soon as she was observed, the crew of the Life-boat John Godfrey Morris were summoned and at 10 o'clock the boat was launched and proceeded towards the vessel, but the tide and wind prevented her from getting alongside until about 11.30. The captain had succeeded in wading ashore with assistance, but the crew of ten men who were on board were taken into the Life- boat and landed at about 2 o'clock.

BROADSTAIRS.—A vessel being seen in the offing, with a signal of distress flying, on the 3rd March, the Life-boat tempo- rarily placed here in the absence of the station's own boat, was launched to her assistance about noon. A moderate W.N.W. gale was blowing at the time, and the sea was rough. She was found to be the schooner Nancy, of Goole, bound from Poole for London with pipe- clay. She had lost her sails, her rudder was disabled, and she was leaking very badly. The master, hoping the weather would moderate, asked the Life-boat men to remain near the vessel, and they did so for about two hours, when, as the wind was increasing, he called the boat along- side again, and, at his request, he and his crew of three men were taken into the boat, which then made for Ramsgate, it being impossible to land at Broadstairs owing to the low tide and the heavy surf.

The schooner's crew were taken care of at the Ramsgate Sailors' Home, and the Life-boat returned to her station on the following day.

FISHGUARD, SOUTH WALES.—While a strong W.N.W. gale was blowing, with sleet, squally weather and a heavy sea, on the 3rd March the Coastguard watchman reported a schooner about five or six miles out, bearing N.N.W. from the look-out house, in a disabled condition, without any sail, and labouring very heavily.

The No. 2 Life-boat, Appin, was launched at about 4 P.M., and sailing towards the vessel, reached her when about three or four miles distant from the station. She was in a sinking condition, having about seven feet of water in her hold; she had not a stitch of canvas left, and as it was dangerous to be on her deck, owing to the heavy seas sweeping over her, there was no alternative but to abandon her; her crew of three men and a boy then got into the Life-boat, and the schooner— the Agricola, of Cardiff—drifted towards Cardigan Head, and ultimately became a total wreck.

PENZANCE. — On the 4th March a whole gale blew from the W., the sea was high, and the weather very squally, with heavy showers of hail. At 9.30 A.M. the barque Lady Gladys, of Tonsberg, bound from Darien, U.S., to Dublin, with pitch pine, was seen to be dragging her anchor in Mount's Bay, and as she was in a danger- ous position, her movements were closely watched from the shore. When half an hour later it was noticed that her cable had parted and that she was drifting towards the G-rele Bocks, it was decided to take out the Life-boat Elizabeth and Blanche to her assistance, but before the Boat could reach her a second anchor had been lowered, and fortunately this one held. The Life-boat men found her water- logged, and her crew of seventeen men.

were greatly exhausted: they remained by for about two hours, trusting that the weather would moderate, but as there seemed no indication of it doing so, the vessel's crew boarded the boat, and were taken ashore, arriving at 2.15. The Life- boat was kept afloat in the harbour until .

5 o'clock, in readiness to hoist an anchor light on the vessel, which was considered necessary for the safety of other craft, but the gale abated sufficiently to allow a pilot boat to go out and do what was required.

GOURDON AND JOHNSHAVEN. — Several fishing-boats which had proceeded to sea in favourable weather early in the morn- ing of the 4th March were overtaken by a gale from the S.S.E., and as the sea became very heavy considerable anxiety was felt for the safety of the fishermen.

The Life-boat Theophilus Sidney Echalaz stationed at Gourdon, and the Johnshaven Life-boat, Meanwell of Glenbervie, were launched, and stood by the boats in readiness to render help to their crews should any casualty befall them.

On the morning of the 26th March these two Life-boats were~ again engaged on similar service, fourteen fishing-boats being in danger off Gourdon, and four off Johnshaven.

. — A dismasted vessel was observed about 2J miles S.S.W. of Johns- haven, on the 17th March. The wind was then blowing a light breeze from S.S.W., the sea was rough and the weather thick and very cold. The Life -boat Meanwell of Gleribervie was launched at 6 A.M., and on reaching the vessel found her abandoned; she was the brig Terra Nova, of Tonsberg, bound for Leith, with a cargo of wood. Some of the Life- boat men went on board, and as she was driving, more chain was paid out and she was brought up. Signals were made for more assistance, and a telegram was thereupon despatched from Johnshaven to Montrose for a steam-tug, and on her arrival the brig was taken in tow to the latter port, which was reached at about 12.30 P.M.

IRVINE.—The Life-boat Busbie was launched at 1.30 A.M. on the 10th March, and proceeded to the assistance of the s.s. Texa, of Glasgow, bound from Glenarm for Irvine with limestone, which had stranded on the north side of the bar, at the mouth of the harbour, in a strong S.W. breeze, a heavy sea, and thick weather. The vessel's crew, eight in number, were taken into the boat and . brought safely ashore.

WHITBY.— Two Whitby cobles, the Mary Alice and the Tranquil, which were returning from the fishing-ground in a light wind and a strong sea on the 12th March, were seen in the offing, and as it was evident that they would run con- siderable risk in crossing the bar, the Life-boat John Fielden was launched at 5.15 P.M., and proceeded to their assist- ance. Having supplied the crews of the boats with cork jackets, the Life-boat assisted the Mary Alice to land on the beach; the crew of the Tranquil, however, decided to attempt to enter the harbour, and safely did so, the Life-boat keeping close to her until she was out of danger.

CRESSWELL.—While a fresh wind was blowing from S.E., accompanied by foggy weather and a heavy sea, on the 13th March, the brig Vaaren, of and from Tvedestrand for Newcastle-on-Tyne, laden with pit-props, stranded at Quarry Point.

The Life-boat Ellen and Eliza was launched at 6.20 A.M., and rescued four of the vessel's crew, three others being rescued by the rocket apparatus. This service was rendered by the Life-boat under very trying and dangerous circum- stances, and was most highly spoken of by those who witnessed it. The boat was surrounded by rocks, and had to pull in between the broken masts of the vessel to take the men off, and it was entirely due to the skilful management on the part of the coxswain that the boat was not seriously injured. The only damage, however, was three oars broken and blisters on the hands of several of the crew, who had a very hard pall.

LOWESTOFT.— The shrimping lugger Faith, of Lowestoft, when near the East Newcome buoy, reaching in towards the land, on the 19th March, had her sails blown away by a sudden squall.

The occurrence was witnessed by the coxswain of the Life-boat, who at once mustered the crew, and at 7.45 A.M. the Life-boat Samuel Plimsoll was on her way to the scene of the casualty. She went out under sail, and on reaching the boat, which had a crew of two men on board, took her in tow and brought her into the harbour.

GIRVAN, AYESHIRE.—At 9 A.M. on the 19th March some of the fishing fleet which had been overtaken by a gale were seen approaching the harbour. A very heavy sea was breaking on the bar, and it was therefore thought desirable that the Life-boat Sir Home Popham should go out to meet the boats. She was imme- diately launched, and having accompanied them over the bar returned to the shore.

Subsequently another boat, which it was thought had run for Lamlash for shelter, came in sight, and as the gale was in- creasing and the sea on the bar becoming worse, the Life-boat again went out and stood by the boat until she was in safety.

FORMBY.—Two vessels being sighted in a very dangerous position on the Great Burbo Bank, having run aground in a fog, on the 21st March, the Life-boat John and Henrietta was launched at 8.15 A.M., and after a long pull reached the vessels and stood by them until they were out of danger. One of them, the barque Con- current, of Ghristiania, timber laden for Liverpool, was towed off the bank; and the other, the schooner Waterlily, of Liver- pool, bound for Runcorn with a cargo of clay, floated off without assistance.

HILBRE ISLAND.—The Life-boat Admiral Briggs was launched at 1.9 P.M., on the Meanwell of Gleribervie was launched at 6 A.M., and on reaching the vessel found her abandoned; she was the brig Terra Nova, of Tonsberg, bound for Leith, with a cargo of wood. Some of the Life- boat men went on board, and as she was driving, more chain was paid out and she was brought up. Signals were made for more assistance, and a telegram was thereupon despatched from Johnshaven to Montrose for a steam-tug, and on her arrival the brig was taken in tow to the latter port, which was reached at about 12.30 P.M.

IRVINE.—The Life-boat Busbie was launched at 1.30 A.M. on the 10th March, and proceeded to the assistance of the s.s. Texa, of Glasgow, bound from Glenarm for Irvine with limestone, which had stranded on the north side of the bar, at the mouth of the harbour, in a strong S.W. breeze, a heavy sea, and thick weather. The vessel's crew, eight in number, were taken into the boat and . brought safely ashore.

WHITBY.— Two Whitby cobles, the Mary Alice and the Tranquil, which were returning from the fishing-ground in a light wind and a strong sea on the 12th March, were seen in the offing, and as it was evident that they would run con- siderable risk in crossing the bar, the Life-boat John Fielden was launched at 5.15 P.M., and proceeded to their assist- ance. Having supplied the crews of the boats with cork jackets, the Life-boat assisted the Mary Alice to land on the beach; the crew of the Tranquil, however, decided to attempt to enter the harbour, and safely did so, the Life-boat keeping close to her until she was out of danger.

CRESSWELL.—While a fresh wind was blowing from S.E., accompanied by foggy weather and a heavy sea, on the 13th March, the brig Vaaren, of and from Tvedestrand for Newcastle-on-Tyne, laden with pit-props, stranded at Quarry Point.

The Life-boat Ellen and Eliza was launched at 6.20 A.M., and rescued four of the vessel's crew, three others being rescued by the rocket apparatus. This service was rendered by the Life-boat under very trying and dangerous circum- stances, and was most highly spoken of by those who witnessed it. The boat was surrounded by rocks, and had to pull in between the broken masts of the vessel to take the men off, and it was entirely due to the skilful management on the part of the coxswain that the boat was not seriously injured. The only damage, however, was three oars broken and blisters on the hands of several of the crew, who had a very hard pall.

LOWESTOFT.— The shrimping lugger Faith, of Lowestoft, when near the East Newcome buoy, reaching in towards the land, on the 19th March, had her sails blown away by a sudden squall.

The occurrence was witnessed by the coxswain of the Life-boat, who at once mustered the crew, and at 7.45 A.M. the Life-boat Samuel Plimsoll was on her way to the scene of the casualty. She went out under sail, and on reaching the boat, which had a crew of two men on board, took her in tow and brought her into the harbour.

GIRVAN, AYESHIRE.—At 9 A.M. on the 19th March some of the fishing fleet which had been overtaken by a gale were seen approaching the harbour. A very heavy sea was breaking on the bar, and it was therefore thought desirable that the Life-boat Sir Home Popham should go out to meet the boats. She was imme- diately launched, and having accompanied them over the bar returned to the shore.

Subsequently another boat, which it was thought had run for Lamlash for shelter, came in sight, and as the gale was in- creasing and the sea on the bar becoming worse, the Life-boat again went out and stood by the boat until she was in safety.

FORMBY.—Two vessels being sighted in a very dangerous position on the Great Burbo Bank, having run aground in a fog, on the 21st March, the Life-boat John and Henrietta was launched at 8.15 A.M., and after a long pull reached the vessels and stood by them until they were out of danger. One of them, the barque Con- current, of Ghristiania, timber laden for Liverpool, was towed off the bank; and the other, the schooner Waterlily, of Liver- pool, bound for Euncorn with a cargo of clay, floated off without assistance.

HILBRE ISLAND.—The Life-boat Admiral Briggs was launched at 1.9 P.M., on the26th March, an intimation having been received that a vessel was driving on to the rocks. The weather at the time was misty, a whole gale of wind was blowing from W.S.W., and there was a very heavy sea on. The vessel in question proved to be the flat Swift, and at the request of the master the Life-boat remained by, and ultimately helped to get her out of danger. The boat then went to three | other flats, and found they were all right; j arrangements were, however, made with i the crews that they should show lights should they find they needed any help.

ARKLOW. — On the morning of the 28th March, the schooner Express, of and for Wexford, from Dublin, while beating down against a strong S.W. wind between the Arklow Bank and the main- land, the weather at the time being thick, with rain, stood too far over and grounded on the bank. Shortly afterwards the master ordered the boat to be got out, and while assisting to do.so, a heavy sea broke over the boat and washed him overboard. As soon as news of the casualty reached the Life-boat station, steps were taken to launch the Life-boat, Frances and Charlotte, and when she arrived near the wreck the sails were lowered, the masts unstopped, and she was rowed through the breakers. In rounding the stern of the vessel, a fearful sea struck the Boat, completely filling her, but she emptied herself in about twenty seconds. Having let go her anchor, the Boat veered as close as she could safely do to the wreck, the hull of which was under water, three men having taken refuge in the starboard fore-rigging, and one man in the port-rigging. After several failures, owing to the position of the men in the rigging, a cane lice was thrown to them, a veering line was then bent on to this and was hauled on board and made fast to the rigging on the star- board side. The coxswain of the Life-boat then shouted directions to haul plenty of slack' on board, and the men to fasten themselves to the rope and jump over- board. Either they did not hear or did not understand these directions, and hauled in only six or seven fathoms to which they fastened u boy. The coxswain and crew shouted to the men to haul in more slack, but instead of doing so they immediately lowered the boy into the water. He was hauled towards the Life- boat, but there was not sufficient slack to get him on board, and the Life-boat men therefore hailed the men on the wreck to let go the line or the boy would be drowned. They did so and the boy was got into the Life-boat almost lifeless.

When the end of the veering line was got on board the Life-boat it was found that the cane line had been cast off, and thus all communication with the wreck had been severed. During this time the flood tide had begun to make, and the Life-boat was able to back nearer to the wreck, and endeavours were made to throw a coil of the veering line so as to again communicate with the men in the rigging, but without success. Ultimately the foremast went over the port side (the opposite side to that on which the Life-boat was lying), taking the three men in the rigging with it. It was impossible for the Life-boat to have crossed to the other side, for if the anchor had been lifted she would have been carried off the bank to the eastward by the tide and sea. The Boat remained at anchor by the wreck about an hour after the mast fell, but unhappily the men were not seen again.

An enquiry was held by the Board of Trade into the circumstances attending the loss of this vessel, and the investi- gation included the action of the Life- boat crew. The court found that there was no delay on their part in proceeding to the wreck, and no undue delay in effecting communication with the men in the rigging; also that proper efforts were made by the coxswain and crew to restore communication with the men, and that after the foremast went over the port side, taking the men with it, it was im- possible, owing to the strong tide and sea, for the Life-boat, being on the star- board side, to reach them.

RAMSEY, ISLE OF MAN.-—-The Life-boat Mary Isabella was launched at 7.40 P.M.

on the 28th March, in response to signals of distress shown by the brigantine Vlo, of Lillesand, timber laden from Gefle for Ramsey, which was riding heavily about two miles E. of the harbour. On reach- ing the vessel it was found that she was leaking, and had lost her best anchor when off the west coast of Scotland about a week previously. The Life-boat men assisted the crew to pay out all the chain available for the three small anchors left, but as the wind was blowing a moderate gale from N.N.E. and there was a rough sea, it was doubtful if they would hold.

If they did not she would in all prob- ability have drifted on the rocks at Manghold Head. Her crew of six men were therefore landed, as a precautionary measure, by the Life-boat, but fortunately the gale moderated and the vessel rode safely at her anchorage.

AYR.—While the barque Seech 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 accom- panied 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.

ILFRACOMBE.—On the 2nd April the Life-boat Co-Operator No. 2 was called out in squally weather to the assistance of the barque Aberlomno, of Swansea, coal laden from Barry, which had stranded on a point called Egg Bock, W. of Comb- martin, in a heavy snowstorm. The Life-boat men laid out a kedge anchor, and with the help of some men from Comb- martin, who had boarded the vessel, she was ultimately got afloat.

DUNGARVAN,1 CO. WATERFORD.—While a moderate breeze was blowing from the S.E., accompanied by a very heavy sea, on the 5th April, a vessel was seen burn- ing flares, and on this being reported at the Life-boat station immediate steps were taken to summon the crew. At 8.20 P.M. the Life-boat William Dnnnlle was launched and rescued the crew of four men from the schooner Maria McMillan, of and for Dnngarvan, with a cargo of coal from Milford. She had stranded on the northern end of White- house Bank, and the seas' were washing completely over her.

SWANAGE.—Two coastguard men went off in their punt, on the afternoon of the 6th April, for the purpose of picking up some wreckage. A strong spring ebb tide was running, and the wind was blowing | strong from S.E. There was a heavy sea on the Ledge, and to this dangerous spot the boat was drawn and capsized, both men being thrown out; they, however, managed to right the boat, and got in again; but she was full of water, and drifted out to sea. The Life-boat William Erie was launched, and after a hard pull succeeded in reaching the boat and rescued the two men, one of whom was in an exhausted condition.