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 proceeded 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 proceeded in the Life-boat to her assistance.

At the master's request some of the Lifeboat 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 Bochester, 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..