BROADSTAIKS. — Flares were shown from vessels off the North Foreland while a whole gale was blowing from N.N.W., accompanied by a heavy sea and heavy squalls of hail, on the 27th January, and, in response, the Life-boat Francis Forbes Barton was launched at 8.5 P.M. It was found that the schooner Astrsea, of Dartmouth, bound from Poole for London, with a cargo of clay, had parted her cables and had fouled the ketch Alfred, of Padstow, the crew of the Alfred, four in number, taking refuge on board the Astrsea. They were taken into the Life-boat, and some of the Life-boatmen boarded the schooner, at the request of the Master, and found her bows were damaged, besides which she had lost her anchors, chains, and some of her sails, and was leaking. The Life-boatmen assisted to set the remaining sails, and working at the pumps during the night, managed to take her into Ramsgate Harbour. Meanwhile, the Life-boat landed the crew of the Alfred, who were suffering severely from the cold.

Having warmed and refreshed themselves, they again boarded the Life-boat, which, at the Master's request, proceeded in search of the ketch. She was found riding at anchor; her bows and rigging were badly damaged, and she had a large quantity of water in her hold. Four of the Life-boatmen boarded her to. render assistance,, and having refitted... her rigging, sail was made, the cable slipped, and she proceeded for Ramsgate, with the Life-boat in tow, arriving thei'e at 3 P.M. The boat was slipped at the mouth of the harbour, and returned to her station..