ATHERFIELD, ISLE OF WlGHT.—The Life-boat Catherine Swift was launched at about 5.30 P.M. on the 15th February, the coxswain, while on the cliff, having observed a large barque strike on the Eastern Ledge at Atherfield and immediately swing round with her bow outwards.

The weather was very hazy and thick at the time. The Life-boat proceeded to sea and made several attempts to reach the vessel, being frequently almost buried, but the force of the wind, which was blowing a very strong galefrom S., and the great quantity of broken water encountered prevented the boat from reaching her, and after about an hour's hard< pulling the Life-boat men reluctantly returned ashore and placed the boat on the slipway resolving to make another attempt when the tide turned.

At about 2.30 A.M., the wind having changed to W. and decreased in force, but blowing even then a strong gale and the sea still being heavy, the Life-boat again put off and after crossing the Eastern Ledge succeeded in reaching the vessel and saved her crew consisting of eighteen men. In order to avoid having to cross the Ledge again the Life-boat was beached opposite the wreck and the rescued men were safely landed. The vessel was the barque Auguste, of Brake) bound from Fremantle, W. Australia, for London with a cargo of jarrah wood. She became a total wreck..