CLOUGHEY, Co. DOWN.—The Coastguard ' watchman haying reported a steamer on the North Rock on the 7th April, 1897, the Life-boat Faith was launched at 5.30 A.M., and prooeeding to the vessel found her to be the s.s. Rannoch, of and from Glasgow, in ballast, for Cardiff, where she was to load for the West Coast of Africa. The coxswain agreed to remain by the ship until high water, the master hoping she would float then. In this, however, he was disappointed, and he requested the Life-boat men to stay until low water, fearing that when the tide went down the vessel would capsize.

When the water left her she heeled over a little, and her crew got into the Life- boat ; but as she showed no signs of going over altogether, the captain decided to stay by her. He persuaded the mates, engineers, and some of the crew, eight in all, to go back; but the other fifteen men were landed in the Life-boat. Before leaving, the Life-boat men made arrangements with the captain as to the nature of the signals he should show if he needed assistance during the night. Fortunately, however, he had no occasion to make use of them.

PORTHCAWL.—The coxswain of the Life- boat Speedwell was informed by the pilot on watch, on the 7th April, that a vessel was running for the shore in a sinking condition. At 6.20 A.M. the Life-boat was launched, and proceeded, in a moderate N.N.W. wind and a rough sea, to the vessel, which had then stranded in Black Bock Bay, about three-quarters of a mile from Porthcawl. She proved to be the schooner James and Agnes, of Lancaster. Her crew of three men had left in the ship's boat and landed at Porthcawl, and the master and mate, who had remained on board, got into the Life-boat, and were brought safely ashore. The vessel had struck on the Scar-weather Sands during the previous night, and had been badly strained.

NORTH DEAL, KINGSDOWNE, BROADSTAIRS and RAMSGATE.—On the 8th April the s.s. Langdon, of London, bound from Blyth for Dartmouth, with a cargo of coal, stranded on the North Goodwin Sands, in a dangerous position, during a dense fog, at about 4 A.M. Her bows were high on the sands, her stern being afloat in deep water. When she was seen by the light-vessels they fired signal guns, and in reply thereto the Life-boats Mary Somerville, of Deal, Charles Har- grave, of Kingsdowne, No. 3 Reserve, stationed at Broadstairs, and Bradford, of Ramsgate, proceeded to the sands.

Assistance was rendered by the Life- boat men and other boatmen in laying out a kedge anchor, and jettisoning part of the cargo, and with the help of steam- tugs the vessel was towed off the sands and resumed her voyage.

KINGSDOWNE.—The coxswain of the Life-boat, while on the beach, on the morning of the 9th April, saw a schooner run on the South Sand Head of the Goodwin Sands. He at once summoned the crew of the Life-boat Charles Hargrave, and at 6.15 the boat was on her way to the vessel, which was the Excel, of Bideford, laden with slate from Portinadoc for West Hartlepool. The Life- boat men laid out the bower anchor with 75 fathoms of cable, and when the tide flowed she was hove off the sand and was taken to Ramsgate, where she arrived at 3.30 in the afternoon.

BROADSTAIRS.—The reserve Life-boat temporarily placed at this station was launched at 9 P.M. on the 12th May, in a heavy rolling sea and a N.N.E. wind, and proceeded to the assistance of a vessel which had burnt flares off the North Foreland. On reaching her she was found to be the ketch Firefly, of and from London, for Plymouth, laden with patent manure. Her main-mast had been carried away by a squall and was hanging along- side with all the gear attached. The mast, in falling, had ripped open the deck, and the vessel, being heavily laden, was in danger of foundering. Some of the Life-boat men boarded her and cleared away the wreckage, a shore-boat which arrived alongside was despatched to Ramsgate for a steam-tug, and, on the arrival of the latter, at about 2.15 A.M., the ketch was taken in tow and •was safely berthed in the harbour at about 4 o'clock, the Life-boat accompanying her, and after wards regaining her station at 8.30 A.M.

RAMSGATE.—At 3.45 P.M. on 29th November, in answer to signals from the North Goodwin Light-vessel, the Life-boat Bradford was towed out of the harbour by the steam-tug Aid. A strong N.W.

gale was blowing at the time, accompanied by a heavy sea. The vessel in need of assistance was found to be the ship Commander Svend JFm/n, of Sandefjord, bound from t alhousie, N.B., for London, with a cargo of deals. She had lost her fore and main top-masts, jib-boom and mizen-mast, and was riding with two anchors down. The Life-boat approached her on one side and the tug on the other, and men were put on board to render assistance. The tug's wire hawser was passed on board and an attempt was made to tow her off, but the rope parted.

A second attempt was made with the same result. A third rope was then made fast, and the vessel, which by that time had driven down towards the South Foreland, was towed round the South Sand Head, through the Gull and Edinburgh channels, towards the Thames, and on reaching Gravesend was safely moored to a buoy. The steam pump was kept working all the time, as the ship was leaking badly. Fifteen of her crew had left her and were landed by a steamer at Dover, eight others remaining on board.

The Life-boat men were upwards of thirty hours at sea, and anxiety was felt concerning their safety. They arrived back at Ramsgate at 10 P.M. on November 80th, the tug returning on the following day.

ARBROATH.—At about 7 P.M. on the 13th April, while a strong gale was blowing from S.E., the fishing-boat Royal Arch, of Arbroath, was seen attempting to make the harbour. A very heavy sea was running, the tide was low and she was apparently in danger of either foundering or running on the rocks.

The Life-boat William Soutar was there- fore launched, proceeded to the bar and stood by the boat until she safely entered the harbour.

HOLYHEAD.—On the 8th May news was brought by a steamer that a three-masted schooner was wrecked on the Skerries.

The Life -boat Thomas Fielden was manned at 9 A.M., was towed by the steamer to the scene of the disaster, and on arrival found the vessel had just floated off the rocks bottom up. The Life-boat men volunteered to try to make fast a hawser to the schooner, in order to enable the steamer to tow her to Holyhead. After much labour, the greater part of which was done actually under water, it was made fast, but after towing for a few minutes, the strain was so great that the hawser parted. A steam-tug then came up and the hawser was passed on board her by the Life-boat with difficulty. The tug proceeded for Holyhead and finally put the vessel ashore on the beach. The Life-boat picked up the schooner's crew from their own boat and put them on board the first-mentioned steamer, which took them to Holyhead. The vessel was the Annie Crosfield, of Barrow, bound from Cork for Garston and laden with pit timber.

CLOVELLY—On the 11th May the Coastguard patrol reported at 1 A.M.

that a vessel was showing signals of distress off the pier. He had hailed her, and her crew had stated that their boat had been washed away and they were anxious to be landed. The wind was blowing a moderate gale from N.N.E., the sea was rough, and as the vessel was drifting and in danger of going on the rocks, the Life-boat Minor Roget was launched and brought ashore the crew consisting of two men. The vessel, which was the smack Emily, of Appledore, fortunately kept afloat, and during the day her crew returned to her and took her into the harbour.

CAISTER.—On the 4th June a dense fog prevailed. It lifted at times, and in one of the intervals the look-out man observed a large steamer in close proximity to the Scroby Sand, and signal- guns were fired from the Cookie and St. Nicholas Light-vessels. At 2 P.M.

the Life-boat Beaiicliamp was launched and found the s.s. Laleham, of Newcastle, bound for Beval with salt, aground on the middle Scroby Sand. The captain declined assistance, hoping the vessel would float at high water, and the Life- boat remained at hand, the coxswain having explained to the master the position in which his vessel was placed.

Meanwhile the mate went ashore to obtain instructions. During the night the steamer drove a considerable distance along the sands until she struck, heeled over and remained fast. The captain then engaged the services of the Life- boat men and steam-tugs to get the vessel off, if possible, and a number of men having been brought off to her by Lloyd's Agent for the purpose of jettisoning the cargo, and the anchors having been laid out under the direction of the Life-boat men, she was ultimately got afloat and taken into Yarmouth Roads after striking the N.W. spit of the Cross Sand in consequence of the fouling of the anchors and tow-ropes. During the whole of the time there was a dense fog, and there is no doubt that the Caister men, with their local knowledge of the sands, saved the vessel from total loss. The Life-boat regained her station at noon on Sunday the 6th June, her crew being thoroughly exhausted.

MOELFRE, ANGLESEY.—The ketch William, Shepherd, of Beaumaris, in ballast from Belfast for Carnarvon, anchored in Moelfre Boads in a strong gale from E.

on the 8th June. At about 10 P.M. she parted one of her cables, and signalled for assistance. The Life-boat Star of Hope proceeded to her assistance, and brought safely ashore her crew of two men. She was dragging her remaining anchor, and was in danger of drifting on the rocks.

ALDERUBGH.—At 1.45 P.M. on the 8th June a message by telephone was received stating that a large steamer was aground on the Shipwash Sand. She was at that time in no danger, had no signals flying, and as the tide was flowing it was decided to wait and see whether she would float.

An hour later, however, the wind and sea were rising fast, and as there was no sign of the vessel moving, the Life-boat Aide- burgh was launched and proceeded to her.

She was the s.s. Tekoa, of Plymouth, in ballast from London for Middlesbrough.

On inquiring of the captain whether he required assistance, he told the Life- boat men that he did not need help at present, but as the wind and sea were increasing and the weather was very threatening the Life-boat remained near, one of her crew being placed on board the ship. During the night the weather was so bad and the water was so shallow that it was impossible for the Life-boat to get alongside the steamer; but at about 4 A.M. she was hauled within, hailing distance, and the captain expressed a desire that she should remain at hand.

Afterwards he asked the Life-boat men to go to the Shipwash Light-vessel and telephone for London tugs, but just as they were about to start the steamer began to move, and eventually floated. The Life- boat man who was on board advised the captain -as to his course to clear the sands,, and when the ship was well out of danger the man was taken back into the boat, which returned to the shore, taking a message to be telegraphed to the owners of the vessel, she being able to resume her voyage.

PEEL, ISLE OF MAN.—While a tremendous gale of wind was blowing from N.W. on the morning of the 16th June the Life-boat MayJiew Medwin was launched to the assistance of three fishing vessels which were attempting to return to the harbour. The boats were unable to carry much sail, and drifted ashore. One of them became a total wreck, and the others were seriously damaged. The Life-boat rendered slight assistance, the crews of the vessels being saved by the rocket apparatus.

PORTHDINLLAEN.—The schooner Miss Hughes, of and from Carnarvon, laden with slate for London, showed signals of distress, as she was dragging her anchors and drifting towards the rocks at Nevin Point, in a moderate gale from N.'W. and a rough sea on the 16th June. The crew of the Life-boat George Moore, put off to her assistance at 9 A.M., and having been engaged by the master to render assistance they placed two men on board, and the vessel was taken to a safe position.

GROOMSPORT, Co. DOWN.—On the 16th June, while a strong gale was blowing from N.N.W., accompanied by a very heavy sea, a message. by telephone was received from Bangor stating that assistance was needed by distressed vessels. The Life- boat George Pooley was taken on her transporting carriage by road to Bangor and found two vessels were in need of assistance. One of them, the schooner Hollyhow, of and for Galway, bound for Barrow, timber laden, was lying about a hundred yards from the Clifton rocket, her two anchors having dragged, and the other, the smack Harp, of Arklow, laden with coal, had also dragged her anchors, and was about half a mile from the shore, in Bangor Bay. The Life-boat was, by means of skids, launched off the pier into the harbour. She proceeded first to the Harp, polling to windward through a heavy sea. Having anchored, she veered down on the vessel, passed a line on board, and rescued the crew of four men. She then again pulled to windward, again anchored, and veered down to the Rollyhoia, from which eight persons were saved; they were the master, his wife and three young children, and the crew of three men. Having taken them on board, the Life-boat once more got up her anchor and made for Ballyholm Bay, where the twelve rescued people were landed safely in a creek. The boat was moored while her crew rested, and afterwards sailed back to her station. The launch and the rescues were well and skilfully managed, and in recognition of their good services an additional reward was granted to the crew of the Life-boat RAMSEY, ISLE OF MAN.—At 9.20 A.M.

on the 16th June a telegram was received from the Point of Ayr stating that a schooner, with all sails blown away, was driving before the gale in the direction of Ramsey Bay. A strong N.W. gale was blowing, the sea was heavy and the weather thick. The Life-boat was promptly launched with the view of assisting the vessel, which was the Phoebe, of Peel, but she managed to get some head sail on and reached the harbour. Another schooner, the Maid of Irvine, of Belfast, bound from Annalong for Workzngton, which was lying two miles N.E. of the harbour, signalled for assistance, and the Life-boat on proceeding to her found she was riding heavily, had lost one anchor, and was leaking badly. The crew of three men, who were utterly exhausted, were taken into the Life-boat, which safely landed them and immediately proceeded to the schooner Furness Abbey, of and from Glenarm, bound for Barrow, laden with iron ore. She had lost all her sails, her spars were broken, and being in a perfectly helpless condition, about two miles S.E. of the harbour, in dangerous proximity to the rocks at Manghold Head, she showed signals of distress. Her crew of three men, who were also thoroughly exhausted, were taken into the Life-boat and safely landed. The vessel was leaking badly, and there was every probability that she would founder.

ABERDOVEY.—The brig Moringen, of Drammen, Norway, timber laden, stranded in a strong N.N.W. gale and a very heavy sea on the 16th June and became a total wreck. On receipt of news of the casualty, the Life-boat Thomas Nieeolls Stratford was promptly launched, and having anchored near the vessel, attempted to reach her, but the wind and tide carried the boat three times past her. The men had a hard pull and on each occasion renewed their gallant exertions to effect communication with the ship. At last their efforts were successful, they were able to get a line attached to the jib-boom and by this means rescued the crew of six men. In recognition of their services on this occasion an extra reward was granted to the crew of the Life-boat.

FLEET WOOD.—On the 16th June the Life-boat Maude Pickup was launched at 8 A.M. in response to signals of distress and proceeded in tow of the harbour steam-tug Brock, through a tremendous sea, in the direction of the Sunderland Bank, in Morecambe Bay, where the barque Svalen, of Tvedestrand, had stranded, being unable to ride out the W.S.W. gale, of hurricane force, which had suddenly sprung up. Fortunately the greater part of her crew had gone ashore on the previous day and only three men were left on board. These men were taken into the Life-boat with much difficulty, and she then proceeded to the aid of two other wrecked vessels. One of them was the barque Louisa, of and from Drammen, laden with boards for Glasson Dock.

She had stranded on the Pilling Sands, on the south side of Lune Channel, and became a total wreck. Her crew of nine men and a pilot were rescued by the Life-boat. The other vessel., which had stranded and sunk on the same Bands, was the S.B. Zillah, of Liverpool, whichhad been unable to steam against the gale. She was laden with limestone from Llanddulas bound for Fleetwood. Her crew were in an extremely perilous position; two of them were clinging to the rigging of the fore-mast and three others were holding on to the top of the funnel, the waves continually dashing over them. Happily the Life-boat men were able to rescue these men also, and then made for home where, at 2.30 P.M., thousands of spectators welcomed her and the eighteen rescued men with outbursts of cheering. In recognition of the skilful manner in which the Life-boat, which behaved splendidly, was handled, a ' binocular glass was awarded by the Institution to Mr. DAVID LEADBETTER, the coxswain, and additional payment was made to him and the crew of the boat. Bronze medals, given by a Birmingham gentleman, were also presented to each of the men at a public meeting convened for the purpose.

POET PATRICK.—On the afternoon of the 19th June two fishing-boats proceeded to the North fishing ground. One of them was fully manned, but the other had been hired by two visitors, and her crew consisted of a man and a boy. Towards evening a moderate gale sprung up from 8.E. and there was a rough sea; the weather also was thick and heavy rain was falling, and as the boat would have a strong tide against her it was feared that she would be driven out into the Channel.

At 6 o'clock the Life-boat Civil Service No. 3 was.launched, and the surmise that the boat would be unable to return un- aided proved correct, for she was found to have taken shelter at Brandyport Bay, where one of the visitors had landed. The boat and her three occupants were taken safely into Port Patrick harbour by the Life-boat, whose crew had a stiff and tedious pull home, the men being drenched by the continuous rain.

On. Sunday, the 5th December, at 7.10 A.M. the Life-boat Civil Service No. 3 was launched, a mounted messenger having arrived with intelligence that a vessel was showing signals of distress in Larbrax Bay, six miles N. of Port Patrick.

On reaching the Bay a large Austrian steamer, the Bathori, of Fiume, with a general cargo from Fiume for Glasgow, was found stranded, having run ashore in the night during foggy weather. The Life-boat remained by the vessel, and on the following morning tugs, which had been summoned from Glasgow by tele- graph, arrived. The wind, however, which had been a moderate breeze, had by that time increased to a strong gale from W., with squalls, the sea had increased, and it became imperative that the men should leave the vessel. Nineteen of them there- fore got into the Life-boat, which put them on board a steam-tug, and the captain and five other officers were taken in the Life-boat to Port Patrick. The boat was engaged from 7.10 A.M. on the Sunday morning until 1 o'clock on the afternoon of the following day in rendering this service, her crew being exposed to wet and stormy weather during part of the time.

BLACKPOOL.—The old battleship Foudroyant, at one time Lord Nelson's flag- ship, which had been towed round the coast for the purpose of exhibition, while at anchor off Blackpool on the 16th June was overtaken by a sudden gale. At about 3 A.M. the wind rose with great velocity from the S.W., and in a short time a terrific storm was raging. It was hoped that the cables of the Foudroyant would bear the strain, but between 4 and 5 o'clock she dragged her anchors and commenced to drive inshore. At 9 o'clock she hoisted a signal of distress, and shortly afterwards she grounded about six hundred yards from high-water mark. The wind then veered towards N.W., increasing in fury, and soon after 11 o'clock the vessel's main-mast and fore-mast went by the board.

The terrific seas dashing against and over the sea-walls rendered it impossible to launch the Life-boat then, and there was no alternative but to wait until the turn of the tide, which was due at about 1 o'clock. The Life-boat Samuel Fletcher, of Manchester, was as soon as practicable launched, was rowed in splendid style to the vessel, and by 2.30 was again ashore with twenty-eight men whom she had rescued from the ship. An extra reward was granted to the crew of the Life-boat in recognition of the good service they rendered on this occasion. The historical old vessel afterwards became a complete wreck.

CRICCIETH.—At about 1 p.m. on the 18th June, the schooner Catherine Henry,of Aberystwyth, while going from Abersoch to Portmadoo, was overtaken by a strong N.W. to N.N.W. gale and a very rough sea, and was in a very dangerous position near Harlech, on the south side of Port- madoc bar. She showed signals of distress, and the Life-boat Caroline proceeded to her assistance and rescued her crew, consisting of three men, from a very perilous situation, as the Teasel was riding to one anchor, on a lee shore, and the heavy seas were breaking over her.

SALTBURN-BY-THE-SEA, YORKSHIRE. — On the 29th November, this coast was visited by the most severe gale experienced for many years past. The wind had been gradually increasing from the previous day; until at S A.M. it was blowing a perfect hurricane, continuing for sometime.

At daylight it blew a full gale from N.N.W., accompanied by snow storms and a very heavy sea. Shortly after noon it was reported that the hull of a vessel had been sighted. A good look-out was kept, and when the showers of rain, hail and sleet cleared a little the wreck was observed about two miles from the shore.

The crew of the Life-boat were thereupon summoned, and the boat was soon ready for launching, but as the wreck was drifting rapidly ashore it was decided to wait until it came nearer. At 1.45 P.M.

a splendid launch was effected, and the Life-boat, in charge of the assistant coxswain, proceeded towards the wreck, encountering some very heavy seas, which repeatedly swept over her; at last an unusually heavy sea struck her, turning her broadside-on, in fact nearly capsizing her, and washing overboard three men, including the bowman, who •was standing, grapnel in hand, ready to .effect communication with the wreck. They all, however, happily succeeded in regaining the boat. Such was the force of this sea that the remainder of the crew were thrown down, the oars were unshipped and three of them broken, and the boat was carried some distance out of her course. The lost ground was soon recovered, a line was passed to the wreck, and the four men on board were rescued. The vessel was the schooner Loch Alsh, bound for Sunder- land. The crew had been compelled to cut away her masts on account of her ballast having shifted.

MARGATE.—At 8.30 A.M. on the 29th November, a message was received at Margate from the Coastguard at Epple Bay, stating that a barge was ashore half a mile east of that place; at the same time the Coastguard at Birchington reported a barge, with colours upside down, anchored off that station. The Life-boat Quiver No. 1 was taken by road, on her transporting carriage, to Westgate Bay, where she was with difficulty launched, the heavy seas catching her and throwing her across the carriage. Sailing through the heavy surf, the boat worked towards a vessel which was seen to have a flag of distress flying, passing on her way a barge but finding nobody on board.

On reaching the vessel, which proved to be the ketch Flower of Essex, of Harwich, she was found to be nearly underwater, and it was only with very great difficulty that the boat was enabled to get alongside and rescue the crew of three men and two dogs.

Then, working to windward, the Life-boat went to another ketch, the Enterprise, also belonging to Harwich, and rescued her crew of three men. This vessel was riding so heavily that she dipped her bowsprit under her chain cable, pulling the bowsprit and top-mast out of her just as the Life-boat left with her crew.

Again working to windward in the teeth of the gale she managed to reach the Lord Seresford, also ketch rigged, of London, from which four men were rescued, nearly an hour being occupied in effecting the rescue, the boat being twice carried away from the vessel, over which the seas were sweeping fore and aft. One more vessel was signalling, and the Life-boat worked up to her, the'sea being then as heavy as any of the crew had ever seen it, and rescued the crew of four men and a dog from the ketch Eustace, of Rochester, after which the life-boat made for home with all speed. On reaching the harbour so much wreckage was encountered, together with sunken boats, that great difficulty was experienced in getting to land, the fore air-box was stove in by a piece of timber, and the rudder was unshipped by another large piece, but eventually the shore was reached and all safely landed.