PADSTOW, CORNWALL. — On the 7th April, a strong gale from N.W. was experienced, accompanied by a heavy sea, and by rain squalls at intervals. At about 3.50 P.M., information having been received by means of the telephone, that a vessel was in distress off Tintagel Head, the Steam Life-boat James Stevens, No. 4, left her moorings and proceeded to the rescue. She first steered towards a vessel running for the harbour, but as nothing appeared to be amiss with her, the Life-boat proceeded to Tintagel Head. Those who watched the boat from the shore state that she behaved splendidly in the seas which she encountered, and that admirable skill and ability were shown in the way in which she was managed. Most of the highbreaking seas she gallantly mounted, but one hollow one broke completely over her, and for a few moments almost buried her, even her funnels being hidden from sight; she however emerged, buoyant as before, but losing her light-board and some of her deck fittings. No trace of the vessel being found at the Head, the Life-boat started on her return journey, and on entering the harbour, passed the brig Emilie, of Bedon, in tow of a steam-tug which was unable to make any headway.

The help of the Life-boat being solicited, she took a tow rope and assisted to take the vessel to a safe anchorage at Hawkes' Cove. She had a crew of seven men.

On page 526 will be found a reproduction of a photograph taken of this Steam Life-boat while proceeding out on the occasion of this her first service.

She is one of the two Steam Life-boats propelled by means of the screw; a full description of this class of boat wasgiven in the " Life-boat Journal" of February last..