THURSO, CAITHNESS-SHIRK.—While a whole gale from W.N.W. was raging, accompanied by a very heavy sea and rain, on the night of the 5th January, 1902, signals of distress were observed from the schooners Emma Louise and Elizabeth Miller, both of Wick and bound for Thurso River with coal, the former from Hull and the latter from Shields. The Life-boat Go- operator No. 3 was launched at 1.15 A.M., and landed the crews of the vessels, seven men in all. The force of the gale carried away the Life-boat's mizen-mast and sprung her foremast, so that her sails had to be lowered, and being unable to return to her station under oars she was compelled to put into Thurso River Harbour. The Eliza- beth Miller parted one of her chains, but both vessels rode out the gale.

COVERACK, CORNWALL.—The first service at this Life-boat station, which was established in the year 1901, was per- formed on the 13th January last. The barque Glenbervie, of Glasgow, bound from London for Algoa Bay, with a general cargo, stranded at Lowland Point in a strong S.E. breeze, a rough sea and very thick and cold weather.

She showed signals of distress and in less than ten minutes after they had been seen the Life-boat Constance MSlanie was launched. The time was •I then 8.35 P.M., the night intensely dark, j and the choppy seas running amongst I the rocks rendered it impossible for the Life-boat to get alongside the vessel; she therefore anchored about fifty yards from her, got the vessel's crew, consisfc- i ing of sixteen all told, safely on board | and landed them at 10.45. When they left the barque there was every prospect of her becoming a total wreck. The Life-boat behaved excellently and the service was highly creditable to her crew.

WINTERTON, NORFOLK.—The steam trawler Teal, of London, returning to Lowestoft from the fishing grounds, in thick weather, on the night of the 17th January, stranded about a mile N. of Winterton. At about 1 A.M. she was seen by the look-out man, who at once gave an alarm, whereupon the No. 1 Life-boat Edward Birkbeok was launched, and proceeded to the trawler. The Life- boatmen were engaged by the master to assist to get the vessel afloat. At day- break an anchor was laid out, to which was attached a wire hawser, and ulti- mately, on the 20th January, the steamer was re-floated.

Rockets and guns were fired by the Would Light-vessel on the 3rd February.

A moderate breeze was blowing at the time from E. by S., there was a heavysea and the weather was thick, with rain and sleet, and very cold. At 6.53 P.M.

the No. 2 Life-boat Margaret was launched and falling in with the s.s.

Harlow, of London, was kindly taken in tow until a steam-tug came up. On speaking the Light-vessel it was ascer- tained that flares had been seen about five miles E.N.E. The Life-boat was towed in the direction indicated, and eventually found the barque Ghili, of Gefle, riding at anchor. She had lost her masts and rudder and was water- logged. The Life-boatmen boarded her, remained by her during the night, and on the arrival of steam-tugs on the following day she was taken in tow and beached at Winterton, where her crew of fourteen men were safely landed by the Life-boat. The barque was bound from Christiania for East London, Cape Colony, with a cargo of timber.

JOHNSHAVEN, KlNCAKDINESHIRE. A telephone message having been received from Gourdon, on the 25th January, intimating that a schooner was ashore at the Burn of Benholm, which is about a mile and a half eastward of Johns- haven, the Life-boat Sarah Ann Holden was launched at 6 P.M. A strong wind was blowing from N., the sea was moderate and the weather very cold, with snow showers. The stranded vessel proved to be the Lord Clyde, of Banff, homeward bound from Sunder- land, with a cargo of coal. When the Life-boat reached her the Rocket Brigade had succeeded in throwing a line over her, but the crew did not wish to leave as she was not leaking. They, however, ultimately decided to avail themselves of the Life-boat and were taken safely ashore. It was arranged that the Life-boat should take them back to their vessel at the flood tide if the weather permitted. At 10.30 P.M.

the Life-boat left the harbour for this purpose, but the wind increased to a gale, there was a heavy sea, and it was found utterly impossible to get near the vessel. The Life-boat laid by for about two hours and then returned.

It proved fortunate for the crew that they had left the schooner, as at 2 o'clock her masts fell, and at daylight she was seen to be breaking up.

MOELFRE, ANGLESEY.—On the 25th January a strong gale was experienced from N.N.E., accompanied by a heavy sea, very cold weather and snowstorms, and the crew of the Life-boat Star of Hope were on duty all night, as there were three vessels at anchor in the bay and in a perilous position. At 11 o'clock the barquentine Ethiopia, of Wicklow, laden with coal, signalled for assistance ; having dragged her anchors for about two miles, she was in shoal water and on a lee shore. Her crew of six men were rescued by the Life-boat. Shortly after landing them, at 1.45 A.M., the Life-boat was called out by the schooner Lily Green, of Liverpool, also laden with coal, which had dragged her anchors for about three miles. Having taken off her crew of three men the Life-boat spoke the third vessel, but the crew said they could not leave her as she was leaking, meaning no doubt that if the pumps were abandoned she would founder. They however asked that the Life-boatmen would keep a sharp look-out and be ready to proceed to their assistance at once in the event of their making signals of distress. She was watched until day had broken and the gale had abated, but her crew did not need aay help.

FLAMBOROUGH, YORKSHIRE.—The coastguard having reported that a vessel was burning flares S. of the Head, near the Smithic Sands, while a whole gale was blowing from N.W., with a heavy sea, on the 26th January, the Life-boat Matthew Middlewood was launched about 3.35 A.M., and rescued the crew of eight men from the vessel, the barquentine Aurora, of Guernsey. At about 9 A.M.

the weather moderated, and the master and crew being anxious to return to the vessel, the Life-boat was again launched for this purpose, and put on board the crew and some boatmen, who were successful in taking the vessel to a safe anchorage about 5 P.M.

HAYLE, CORNWALL.—The s.s. Fleswick, of Whitehaven, coal laden from Neath for Hayle, stranded on the eastern spit of Hayle Bar, in a strong gale from N.

and a very heavy sea, on the 28th January. At 7.55 P.M. the Life-boatE. F. Harrison put off to her assistance and rescued her crew, consisting of eleven men and a pilot who was on board. The rescued men were safely landed at 9.35 P.M. The Life-boat sustained damage in effecting this rescue, the yoke of the rudder being broken and five oars were broken and lost. She was, however, admirably handled by the coxswain, and the service was altogether a trying one for the whole of the crew.

GORLESTON, NORFOLK. — The coast- guard having informed the coxswain of the Life-boat Marie Lane that a vessel was burning flares in Yarmouth Roads, while a whole gale was blowing from the E., accompanied by a heavy sea, on the 31st January, the Life-boat was launched at 11 P.M., and found the brigantine Volant, of and from Limerick, bound for West Hartlepool, riding at one anchor, her other cable having parted. As she was driving towards the Outer Bank, the Life-boat stood by her during the night, and on the follow- ing morning the vessel was towed into the harbour.

CULLERCOATS, NORTHUMBERLAND. Eight fishing-cobles were endeavouring to return home while a heavy sea was breaking on the bar on the 31st January.

As they would incur considerable risk in crossing, the Life-boat Co-operator No. 1 was launched at 11 A.M., taking out spare life-belts, which were handed to the fishermen, and stood by the boats until they safely reached the shore, WEXFORD, Co. WEXFORD.—On the 31st January the s.s. Belle, lightship tender, while returning to Wexford from the Lucifer Shoal Light-vessel, in a moderate breeze, with a moderate sea and thick weather at times, grounded on the E, end of the Swanton Bank. In response to her signals of distress, the Life-boat James Stevens No. 1, proceeded to her assistance at 6.30 P.M., and stood by her until nearly high water, when she floated and was warped off the sand, an anchor having been laid out for that purpose.

RAMSGATE, KENT.—While endeavour- ing to return to the harbour, in a whole gale from E. and a heavy sea, on the 1st February, the smack Lottie struck the West Pier, and was driven to the back of it. Her anchor was let go but it did not hold, and ultimately the cable parted, and an attempt to assist her by means of a line thrown from the pier was ineffectual. Three of the crew who took to their boat were got on to the pier, and one man, who was left on board the smack, which drifted into the surf on the rocky beach, was rescued by the Life-boat Bradford.

ST. MARY'S, SCILLY ISLANDS.—The Life-boat Henry Dundaa put off at about 11 A.M. on the 1st February, and for some hours remained by the ketch Ada, of Gloucester, which had anchored in a bad position in St.

Mary's Sound, and was leaking. A strong gale was blowing from E.N.E., the sea was rough, and the weather very cold.

CLACTON-ON-SEA, ESSEX.—The coast- guard having informed the coxswain of the Life-boat Albert Edward, on the morning of the 2nd February, that signals had been fired by the Swin Middle Light-vessel, he summoned the crew, and at 5.30 the Life-boat was launched. On speaking the light-vessel the coxswain was informed that the signals had been fired in answer to those of the Mouse Lightship, and the boat at once proceeded in that direction and found the s.s. ' Dungonnell, of Glasgow, bound from Grangemouth for London, with coal, stranded on the Black Tail Spit. A whole gale was blowing from the E. and the sea was very heavy. The Life-boatmen were engaged to jettison the cargo, and they continued to do so until 5 P.M., when the sea increased to such an extent that it became necessary to batten down the hatches. At 7 o'clock the engines were put astern, but before high water they were choked with sand, and the ship did not move with that tide. At 9.30 the jettisoning was again commenced, and continued until 4.30 A.M., when one of the steamer's boats was launched and took a line to a steam-tug, by means of which a tow-line was brought to the vessel and made fast. At highwater the tug succeeded in towing the vessel off the sand, and at once her anchor had to be let go so as to avoid collision with another vessel. The crew of the steamer, eleven in number, were so thoroughly exhausted that the Life- boatmen were requested by the captain to get in the anchor and the sixty fathoms of chain attached; this they did by manual labour, no steam-power being available. The tug then towed the steamer in the direction of Graves- end, the coxswain of the Life-boat accompanying her, and the boat re- turning to her station, which was reached at 3.15 P.M. on the 3rd February, the s.s. Merlin, belonging to the General Steam Navigation Company, of London, kindly towing her part of the way.

FALMOUTH, CORNWALL.—At 8 P.M. on the 4th February the Life-boat Sob Newbon was launched, intelligence having been received from the coast- guard that a vessel was aground on the Black Rock. A moderate wind was blowing from E.N.E., and there was a moderate sea. On reaching the vessel she was found to be the schooner Snaefell, of Ramsey, Isle of Man, bound from Portmadoc for Ipswich, with a cargo of slates. It appeared that in entering the harbour she had to alter her course in order to avoid collision with another vessel and ran on the rock. When the tide served she was taken by a steam-tug to a safe anchor- age, the Life-boat standing by her until all danger was over.

POOLE, DORSET.—While a fresh wind was blowing from E.S.E. on the 5th February, a telephone message was re- ceived from the coastguard at Sandbanks stating that a vessel was on the Hook Sand and burning flares. The Life- boat City Masonic Club was launched at 7.15 P.M., and proceeding to the sand, on which a heavy sea was breaking, found the ketch Jessie, of Boston, bound for Poole, with potatoes, striking heavily. At the request of the master, the Life-boat stood by until the vessel floated off the sand and made for Poole. The boat regained her station at 10.30 P.M.

WHITBY, YORKSHIRE.—At about 10.30 A.M., on the 7th February, two cobles, the Thomas and Bichard and the Lady Morris, which had left the harbour for the fishing ground some six hours pre- viously, were seen returning. The first boat, when about one hundred and fifty yards outside the bar, was struck by a sea which nearly swamped her. She was partly filled, but her crew managed with their oars to get her head to sea, pulled her clear of the broken water, anchored, and baled the water out of the boat. The sea continued to increase, and as it was evident that no coble could cross' the bar with safety, the Life-boat Robert and Mary Ellis was launched, took the crews, six men in all, out of them, and safely landed the men.

The boats were towed into the broken water and allowed to wash up on the beach, when they were drawn out of the water and placed in safety.

RAMSEY, ISLE OF MAN.—The schooner Ellesmere, of Runcorn, bound for Liver- pool, with potatoes, had her mainsail and top-gallant sail torn in a gale from E. by S., on the 8th February, and anchored about three-quarters of a mile E.N.E. of the harbour. She was in a dangerous position, being near a lee shore, and in response to her signals for assistance the Life-boat Mary Isabella was launched at 9.30 A.M., and rescued her crew of three men. A rough sea was running at the time, snow was falling and the weather was very cold.

STAITHES, YORKSHIRE. — While the fishing cobles were out on the 8th February, a strong breeze from the E.N.E. sprung up, the sea became very rough and the weather being thick it was feared that some casualty might happen. The Life-boat Jonathan Stott was launched at noon and assisted the boats to regain their port.

HOYLAKE, CHESHIRE.—On the llth February a man and his wife, walking from the mainland to Hilbre Island, were overtaken by a very heavy snow- storm, and as they had not returned, and it was doubtful whether they would have reached the island before it was surrounded by the tide, the Life-boatGoard William Squarey was launched arid proceeded in search of them. When the snowstorm ceased they were seen on what is known as the beach mark, or little eye, a rock with a landmark on it, surrounded by the tide. The woman, who was greatly exhausted, was carried into the Life-boat, and she and her husband, both of whom were wet through up to the waist, were taken safely ashore.

CRESSWELL, NORTHUMBERLAND.—The Life-boat Ellen and Eliza was launched at 5.45 A.M. on the 16th February, and proceeded to the s.s. Minerva, of Sunder- land, which had stranded on Quarry Point in a strong breeze from S. by E., a moderate sea, and very thick and cold weather. The vessel was bound from the fishing-grounds for the Tyne.

The Life-boatmen laid out a kedge anchor and assisted to get the vessel afloat, returning to their station at 9 o'clock.

ALDEBURGH, SUFFOLK.—About 8 A.M.

on the 27th February a telephone message was received stating that a steamer was blowing a succession of short blasts from a foghorn and imme- diately afterwards another message an-ived stating that a barque was ashore. A moderate breeze was blowing from W., the sea was rough, with a heavy swell on the shoals, and the weather was thick. The Life-boat Bolton was launched, and, proceeding in a northerly direction, saw a barque ashore about four hundred yards from Misner coastguard station. Two boats were leaving her, but the sea being too heavy for them to land, they were making for a steamer which was aground on the Sizewell Bank. The Life-boat made for the steamer, the Lome, of Hull, bound for London with grain. Just before the Life-boat arrived alongside, the steamer got off the sand. The barque's crew; consisting of ten men, were taken into the Life-boat and safely landed at Aldeburgh. They reported that their vessel, the Loveid, of Pors- grund, bound from Norway for London with a cargo of ice, had also been aground on the Sizewell bank, but knocked over the sand, broke her back, and drove ashore full of water.