RAMSGATE.—In response to signals from the Gull Light-vessel, the Life-boat Bradford was towed out by the harbour steam-tug Aid at 2.10 A.M., on the llth February, while a strong gale was blowing from S.S.W., accompanied by a heavy sea and heavy snow squalls. On speaking the Light-ship it was ascertained that a vessel was aground at the north end of the Goodwin Sands, and the Life-boat was therefore towed in that direction.

When near the Sand the boat was cast off, and, proceeding under sail, discovered the vessel showing signals of distress, but found that there was not sufficient water for the boat to approach her. She was kept as near as could be done with safety until 5 A.M., when she was able to get alongside the vessel and found her to be the ketch Sunbeam bound from Teignmonth for London, with a cargo of clay: she was bumping heavily, her rudder was smashed, she was otherwise seriously damaged, and was full of water. Some of the Life-boat men boarded her and worked at the pumps, but it was foundutterly impossible to save the ketch, and her crew of four men were therefore taken into the Life-boat, which was towed bucifto her station, arriving there at 11.30 A.M., when the shipwrecked men were landed and taken to the Sailor's Home..