ARDROSSAN, AYRSHIRE. — On Saturday, 26th January, four men put off in a boat and proceeded to Horse Island, which is about a mile and a half distant from Ardrossan harbour, for the purpose of shooting wild fowl. While they were on the island the wind freshened, and they found it a difficult matter to get back into the boat. One of them succeeded in doing so, and tried to reach a sheltered spot in order to take off the others; the boat, however, was driven away from the island, but fortunately drifted into the harbour at Ardrossan.

Endeavours were then made to reach the island by means of a, shore boat, but they were unsuccessful, and at 3 o'clock on the Sunday morning the Coastguard reported the circumstances to the Coxswain of the Life-boat. The wind was then blowing a strong gale from N.W., and the sea was very rough, especially at the harbour mouth and off the Horse Island, rendering it most difficult for the Life-boat to get out, and very dangerous for her to approach the island in the darkness, and as the men, although exposed to a bitter night in n practically unsheltered island, were in no actual danger, it was decided to wait until daylight. At 6.45 the Life-boat was launched, was towed by a steam-tug to the W. end of the island, when sail was hoisted, and she dropped down to the only available place from which the men could be taken off. They were got safely on board, and sails having been again set the boat ran straight into the harbour, being frequently almost buried by the heavy seas she encountered..