NORTH DEAL, KENT.—The s.s. Bion, of Newcastle, laden with oil, from Batoum for London, stranded on the inner part of the North Goodwin Sand in a thick fog on the morning of the 15th Feb., 1902. In response to signals from the Gull Light-vessel, the Life- boat Mary Somerville was launched about 8 A.M. and proceeded to the vessel. The services of the Life-boat men, in conjunction with the crews of two luggers, were engaged to pump some of the oil out of the tanks in order to lighten the vessel. About 1500 tons were thus jettisoned, and about 40 tons of bunker coal were thrown overboard. Kedge anchors were laid out, and ultimately, with the help of four steam-tugs, the steamer was got clear of the sands, her own engines being, by the advice of the coxswain of the Life-boat, put full speed ahead to assist in the operation.

Having been taken into deep water, the Bion proceeded under her own steam for Gravesend, accompanied by one of the tags, and having on board the coxswains of the Life-boat and luggers, who remained to assist the master with their local knowledge.

MONTROSE, FORFARSHIRE.—About 6.20 A.M., on the 21st February, rockets were fired from Scurdyness, indicating that the services of the Life-boat were needed. The crew were summoned, and in about ten minutes the Life-boat Sarah Jane Turner was launched, and proceeding to the Annat Bank found the fishing boat Marjory Brown, of Montrose, stranded there, striking heavily and the heavy seas washing over her. The Life-boat shipped a very heavy sea, but managed to rescue the five fishermen, and landed them at 7.30.

Later in the day the Life-boat again went to the vessel at the request of the owners and assisted to bring her safely into the river.

HAUXLEY, NORTHUMBERLAND. — The coastguard reported, on the night of the 21st February, that he had heard signals of distress. A steamer was seen on the Bondicar Rocks : she had a light burning and was sounding her whistle.

A moderate breeze was blowing from the S., the weather was thick and the sea moderate. The reef being a danger- ous one it was considered that it would be impossible to render any help by means of a coble, and therefore the Life-boat Algernon and Eleanor was launched. She put off about 10.30, and found the s.s. Velocity, of and from London, in ballast, for Blyth. Some of the Life-boat men went on board, an anchor was laid out, and as the tide was flowing, the steamer soon floated.

At the master's request three of the Life-boat men remained on board to accompany him to Blyth so as to assist him if anything happened, and the Life-boat returned to her station. The vessel then seemed watertight, but soon began to leak; however the donkey engine was sufficient for working the pumps, and she safely arrived at her destination.

WINCHELSEA, SUSSEX.—A telephone message was received from the coast- guard at Galloways, stating that a ketch was ashore, on the morning of the 23rd February. The Life-boat John William Dudley was launched at 8.40, in a rough sea, a strong S. breeze and a thick mist, and found the ketch Pilot laden with china clay, stranded between Galloways coastguard station and Jury's Gap. The master having engaged the services of the Life-boat men, the anchor was slipped, sails set, and ultimately the vessel was got away from the shore. They then manned the pumps as the ketch was leaking badly. One of the crew, which con- sisted of four men, was injured, and as there were no spirits on board some were supplied to him from the Life-boat's store. Arriving about a mile and a half from Dungeness the Life-boatmen enquired of the master if he wished any further help, and on his stating that he did not, they were arranging to return to their station, but the vessel's crew, in view of the tact that she was in a leaky condition and had no anchor or cable on board, refused to go any further if the Life-boat left. The master therefore asked that the Life-boat men might accompany him to Dover, and they accordingly did so. Dover was reached at 4.30 P.M., but it was impossible to get into the harbour until 11.30. The injured man was then landed by the Life-boat. Having finished their work at 1 A.M. the Life-boatmen proceeded to the Sailor's Home to rest, and on the following evening at about 7 o'clock arrived back at Winchelsea.

CLACTON-ON-SEA, ESSEX.—A severe north-westerly gale was experienced off Clacton on the morning of the 15th March accompanied by a rough sea.

About 8.15 A.M. a vessel was seen drifting towards the Gunfleet Sands.

Information was at once conveyed to the Life - boat authorities, and the Assistant Honorary Secretary, on seeing the vessel was getting into a dangerous position, decided to launch the Life-boat Albert Edward.

This was done shortly after 9 A.M., and on coming tip with the vessel, she was found to be the ketch Crania, of Brixham, but no one was on board.

The Coxswain, without delay, put some men. on her, and sail having been set, a start was made to take her to Bright- lingsea. On the way they fell in with the owner, who had come out in a smack, and he accepted the offer of the Coxswain to see the ketch into safety. As soon as the ketch was under weigh the Life-boat returned to her station; during .the whole of the time she was afloat her behaviour evoked the greatest praise, the local authorities speaking in the highest terms of her performance.

MARGATE, KENT.—At 6.45 A.M. on the 15th March, while a strong gale was blowing from N.W. and a rough sea was running, information was given by the Coastguard that a vessel was on the N.W. part of Margate Sand. The Life-boat Civil Service No. 1 was imme- diately launched and proceeded to her assistance, but when within about a mile of the distressed vessel she also grounded. As it was then just about low water the Coxswain anchored and lay there for about an hour. On the tide flowing sufficiently another effort was made to reach the vessel—the ketch Justice, of Harwich—and after consider- able difficulty and hard work the Life- boat was brought alongside. With the assistance of three of the Life-boat men the vessel was got off the sand and brought into Margate, thus saving both the vessel and crew of three hands.

It subsequently appeared that the barge had been riding at anchor close to the sands, and when she commenced driving towards them, the master slipped his cable and forced his vessel to the top of the sand to prevent her foundering.

RAMSGATE, KENT—On the 16th March at 1.20 A.M. a message was received from the Coastguard that the Gull Lightship was exhibiting signals of distress. The Life-boat Bradford was at once ordered out and proceeded in the direction indicated. The weather was clear, with a moderate W.N.W. wind and slight sea. On arriving they found the schooner Morwenna, of Truro, laden with clay and sand from Teignmouth to London, had been driven ashore about half-a-mile from the North Goodwin buoy. She had become unmanageable through the loss of her yards and head sails. Just as the Life-boat got alongside, the vessel again floated, so the master requested that she might be taken to Ramsgate. Accordingly, six men were put on board, and a rope having been passed to the steam-tug Aid, which had gone out with the Life-boat, a start was made for the harbour, which was reached soon after 4 A.M.

DUNBAR, HADDINGTONSHIRE.—During a westerly gale and moderate sea on the afternoon of the 18th March, the smack Young Helen, of Buckhaven, struck on the " Wildfire rock," between North Berwick and Dunbar. On the information being received the Life-boat William Arthur Millward launched and proceeded to her assistance. On reaching the scene of the accident they found the vessel rolling very badly and the crew hard at work at the pumps. As it was then impossible to tell the extent of the damage and whether the smack would float with the flood tide, the skipper requested the Life-boat to stand by him in case it became necessary to abandon his vessel. After remaining nearly four hours the smack floated off, and they then accompanied her back to Dunbar, where she was safely berthed during the evening.

CARDIGAN.—While a strong N.W. gale was blowing with heavy seas on the evening of the 24th March, the signalman fired the alarm signal indicating a vessel in distress in Cardigan Bay. The Life- boat Lizzie and Charles Leigh Clare was launched shortly after 8 P.M., and pulled out to the vessel, which proved to be the schooner John Ewing, of Carnarvon, bound from London to Cardigan. She was then dragging her anchors and drift- ing towards the shore. As too much risk would have been incurred by the Life- boat going alongside, the Coxswain anchored, and by means of a rope secured to the schooner and a Life-buoy succeeded in gallantly saving the crew of four hands in an exhausted condition.

Shortly after the rescue was effected the vessel beached on the Pembrokeshire sands, her hull by that time being com- pletely under water, and became a total wreck.

EXMOUTH, DEVON.—A fishing boat which had proceeded to sea in favourable weather early in the morning of the 24th March, was overtaken by a strong gale from S.S.W., and as the sea becamevery heavy accompanied by a very thick rain, considerable anxiety was felt for the safety of the crew. About noon she was observed with her sails split, dangerously near to the sands. The Life- boat Joseph Soam.es was launched, and proceeding to the Fairway buoy, where she remained by the boat in readiness to render help to the crew should any casualty befall them; eventually how- ever they succeeded in bringing her safely in.

HOLYHEAD, ANGLESEY.—About mid- night on the 24th March IT. M.S. Opossum, while lying in the harbour at Holyhead, dragged her anchor and collided with the schooner Gipsy Maid. As she fired a rocket and showed signals of distress, the steam Life-boat Duke of Northumber- land proceeded to her and succeeded in towing her clear of the schooner.

Shortly after this the cables of the Gipsy Maid parted, and the Life-boat then went to her aid and assisted to bring her in safety into the old harbour. There was a N. gale blowing at the time accompanied by very cold weather and rough sea.

PETERHEAD, ABERDEENSHIRE.—While the Coxswain of the Life-boat George Pickard was working in the Life-boat house during the afternoon of the 1st April, information was brought him that a vessel had gone ashore at Scotston Head. After consulting the Harbour Master, he at once launched the boat and proceeded under sail to the vessel, in the face of a strong N.W. gale.

She proved to be the schooner Pioneer, of Dundee, bound for Nairn with a cargo of coal, and was fast on the rocks, rolling heavily. The crew were preparing to leave in their own boat, but on the arrival of the Life-boat and of a steamer, which had also come up, they decided to make an attempt to float the schooner.

A rope was passed by means of the Life-boat to the steamer, and after a good deal of trouble she was eventually got off and towed into harbour, the Life- boat returning at the same time.

A telephone message had in the mean- time been sent to Whitelink Bay, notifying a vessel in distress, and the Coxswain of the Life-boat stationed at that place at once launched the Three Brothers and proceeded to the scene of the accident. She arrived a short time before the vessel was got clear, but her assistance was not required.

It was impossible for the Whitelink Bay Life-boat to make her station that night against the wind and tide, so she also ran for Peterhead Harbour, and was taken back to her station two days later when the weather had moderated SCARBOROUGH, YORKSHIRE. — About 4.30 P.M. on the 15th April two fisher- men reported that two cobles, engager! in crab-catching between four and five miles north-east of the Castle foot, were in danger owing to the strong sea and fog.

It was therefore deemed advisable to launch the Life-boat Queensbury, and about 4.45 P.M. this was done; she proceeded in a north-easterly direction about a mile without sighting any boats.

About 6.30 P.M. however two cobles, one of which was the Ocean and the other the Queen's Jubilee, were seen making for the harbour. The Life-boat pulled to the former, took her crew of two men on board and the boat in tow, bringing them safely into harbour.

On the way they spoke the Queen's Jubilee, and instructed them to remain outside until they could return for her.

This they did, and after landing the two men the Life-boat went back and escorted the second vessel into safety.

GORLESTON, SUFFOLK.—-A telephone message was received from the coast- guard about 1.30 P.M. on the 18th April stating that a vessel was ashore half-a-mile south of the watch-house. In the absence of the Coxswain, the Assistant Coxswain immediately summoned the crew of the Life-boat Leicester and pro- ceeded to the position indicated. The weather was very thick and the sea rough with a strong breeze from S.E.

They found the stranded vessel was the steam-trawler Notus, of Great Yarmouth.

As assistance was not required to get her off, the Life-boat stood by until the vessel floated, and having seen she was no longer in danger started to return for Gorleston. On coming near the pier they were informed that another boat was aground to the northward, so proceeded in that direction. That boat proved to be the lugger Sunshine, also of Great Yarmouth, but before the Life- boat reached her she succeeded in getting off, and as the Life-boat's services were not required she returned to her station.

STROMNESS, ORKNEY.—A small lobster fishing-boat, while out at sea to the west of Hoy Head on the morning of the 22nd April, was caught in a sudden gale from S.E. On the matter being reported to the Honorary Secretary, he at once despatched the Life-boat Good Shepherd to her assistance. She even- tually succeeded in rescuing the crew of three men and saving the boat, which was taken in tow and brought back to Stromness about 4.30 P.M. In the meanwhile the wind had much increased and was then blowing a heavy gale ; this together with the rough sea and the state of the tide prevented any attempt being made then to house the Life- boat; after a wait of some hours however this was safely accomplished.

The position of the boat and her occupants when rescued was very perilous, as their only chance of safety was to remain close under the cliff to the S. side of the Head, and had a land sea set in nothing could have saved them.

DUNGENESS,KENT.—About 5.30 A.M. on the 26th April the Coastguard watchman sent a message to the Life-boat Station that a four-masted barque was ashore in West Bay. The Coxswain promptly assembled his crew and launched the Life-boat R.A.O.B. to assist her. On reaching the vessel, which proved to be the Crown of India, of Liverpool, bound for Hamburg with a cargo of grain, the master at first declined any assistance, but later the Life-boat men were engaged by him to assist in getting the vessel off. Having given the help required, the Life-boat returned ashore, but owing to the rough sea and strong breeze it was necessary to beach her at Dungemarsh and return her to the boat - house when the weather moderated. The vessel on getting clear was able to proceed on her way.

CLOVELLY, DEVON.—A member of the Local Committee having observed what he took to be a signal of distress from a vessel in Barnstable Bay about 10 P.M. on 28th April, reported it to the Coast- guard, and after consulting the man on watch, it was ascertained that a boat had been showing flares, but apparently only for " pilotage " purposes. While they were watching however another flare was made accompanied by a rocket.

The signal was at once fired to assemble the crew of the Life-boat Elinor Roget, and she proceeded to the assistance of the vessel, which proved to be Pilot Gutter No. 21, of Newport. On going alongside -they found her in a sinking condition, having sprung a leak while off Trevose Head. It was then just after midnight, and the two men who were on board were much exhausted, as they had been working at the pump since noon the previous day. The master was anxious to get his cutter to Ilfracombe, but as that place was sixteen miles to windward the Coxswain did not consider it possible. Four of the Life-boat crew were put on. board, and they succeeded in bringing her in safety to Clovelly Roads. The Life- boat accompanied her and stood by until high water on the 29th inst. in case it should be necessary to take the men off. Having saved the vessel and her two occupants, the crew then assisted to get her into harbour, and steps were taken to stop the leak.

When the work was completed the vessel sailed for Newport. During this service, which occupied the whole night, the weather was very cold and rough, JOHN DUNN, the Bowman of the Life- boat, contracted a chill, subsequently developing pleurisy and influenza, from which he never recovered. He left an invalid widow and one dependent daughter. As he had been a member of the crew ever since the Life-boat was established at Clovelly, and held the post of Bowman for ten years, the Committee resolved to make a grant of 125?. for the benefit of the dependent relatives, leaving the distribution of the money in the hands of the Local Committee.

BROADSTAIRS, KENT.—The ketch Meteor, of London, bound for Dunkirk with a cargo of pitch, had her mainsail and jib blown away in a south-westerly gale on the 3rd May when about two miles from the South Foreland. In response to her signals of distress the Life-boat Francis Forbes Barton launched about 1.35 P.M. and proceeded to her assistance.

The sea was very rough at the time, but they succeeded in placing two men on board, who with the crew of the ketch, managed to bring her into Ramsgate Harbour safely, the Life-boat meanwhile standing by in case her services should again be required.

WHITBY, YORKSHIRE.—About 8 A.M. on the 5th May a north-easterly gale sud- denly sprang up, accompanied by rain and sleet and a rough sea, whereupon several fishing cobles, which had left the harbour earlier in the morning, attempted to return. The first two to do so, while crossing the bar were nearly swamped, and only got in with great difficulty, one of them being dashed against the end of the East Pier.

As the remaining boats were in peril and had still to make the harbour, the No. 1 Life-boat Robert and Mary Ellis launched and stood by them until out of danger, when she was returned to her house.

About half-past three on the morning of the 2nd June, in thick weather, a fisherman reported that a three-masted vessel was anchored within about a quarter of a mile of the Whitby Rock Buoy, close to the rocks, and in a very dangerous position. The Coxswain of the No. 2 Life-boat John Fielden at once assembled his crew, launched "the boat, and proceeded to the vessel, which proved to be the schooner Frier, of Poole, laden with a cargo of coal. As the captain could not get his vessel under way and into a position of safety without assistance, he requested the Life-boat to stand by him. After she had been in attendance for some time the fog lifted, when a steamer was seen approaching from the southward. The captain of the schooner then asked the Life-boat to proceed to the steamer and ascertain if they would be willing to tow the Frier into safety. This service the steamer undertook, and the Life- boat carried a hawser to her. When this was accomplished, the Frier slipped her anchor and the services of the Life- boat were apparently at an end; before they had proceeded far however the tow-rope parted and the John Fielden had to again give her assistance in restoring the communication. The second rope held, and the Life-boat, after seeing the schooner well out to sea in tow of the other vessel, returned to her station.

STAITHES, YORKSHIRE.—While some of the fishing cobles were at sea on the 12th May, the wind, which was blowing in a north-easterly direction, freshened and the sea became rough. As it was probable that some of the boats would require assistance, the Jonathan Stott Life-boat launched at 9.30 A.M., and remained by the boats while they crossed the bar. When all had reached the land in safety, which was accomplished by 1 P.M., the Life-boat returned ashore.

NEWBIGGIN, NORTHUMBERLAND.—On the 12th May towards the middle of the day the N.N.E. wind freshened and the sea became dangerously rough.

Several of the fishing cobles were at sea, and as four were known to be some miles away, it was thought advisable to launch the Life-boat Robert and Susan.

This was done about 11.15 A.M., and she beat up to windward until she fell in with them. It subsequently appeared that they had left the fishing grounds in company together, and in order to run for safety without any delay had to abandon part of their gear. On meeting with them the Life-boat returned, accompanying them to Newbiggin, and remaining by them until all danger was past.

SENNEN COVE, CORNWALL.—During a dense fog on the 27th of May H.M.

Torpedo Destroyer Recruit struck the rocks, about half a mile N. of Cape Corn- wall, at 4 o'clock in the morning. The Coxswain, hearing distress signals, sum- moned the crew of the Life-boat Ann Newbon, launched and proceeded to her assistance. Her Commander requested the Coxswain to stand by. Tugs subse- quently arrived, and during the afternoon she was got off the rocks and towed toPenzance. After remaining in attendance for about two miles, the Coxswain was informed that their services were no longer required, so the boat returned ashore, arriving at 5 P.M.

BERWICK - on - TWEED, NORTHUMBER- LAND.—On Sunday morning the 1st June, while a north-easterly gale was raging, accompanied by a heavy sea, the coastguard look-out man observed a barque, about six miles off, flying signals of distress. On this being reported to the Honorary Secretary, he at once went to the boathouse, assembled the crew, and at 9.30 A.M.

launched the John and Janet Life-boat.

A steam-tug, which was also proceeding to the assistance of the vessel, took the Life-boat in tow. On reaching her, she was found to be the barque Demelra, of Christiania, in tow of a steamer, bound from Middlesbrough to Shetland with a cargo of salt. The assistance of the Life-boat and tug was declined, so after remaining a short time they started to return to Berwick-on-Tweed. They had not proceeded far however before they were recalled by the barque hoisting further signals of distress. On their return they found the crew were quite exhausted and wanted assistance to man the pumps. Every man in the Life-boat volunteered, although it meant running great risk to board the vessel in such a sea. Indeed, the boat only escaped being capsized by a hair's-breadth, a near approach to the vessel being attended by the greatest danger. Soon after 11 A.M., by skilful management, three men were successfully put on board. In doing so, the Life-boat was somewhat damaged.

The men found 9 feet of water in the hold, and for some hours worked inces- santly at the pumps, single-handed, the crew of the Demetra being compelled to rest. About 4 P.M. the rope between the vessel and the Life-boat parted, and Lt was only after hard work that com- munication was once more restored.

This had only just been effected when the masts commenced to go by the board, and the crew reported that the ship was sinking. The wreckage of the spars flying in all directions made the deck unsafe, so the crew decided to abandon their vessel, and asked to be taken into the Life-boat. It being unsafe for the Life-boat to go alongside the vessel, on account of the heavy sea running, communication was obtained by means of a line rove through a "tail" block, and the work of rescue commenced. The Life-boat men on the sinking vessel displayed great coolness and skill during this difficult and dan- gerous operation, and it was chiefly due to their efforts that it was accomplished without fatality. Having seen all the crew off, they were the last to leave the ship.

By this time Berwick was so far away that it was out of the question to return there, and in view of the hard work and exposure experienced, the Coxswain deemed it desirable to make the shore as soon as possible. After pulling a distance of eight miles, with the rescued men on board, the boat arrived in safety at Eyemouth about 8.30 P.M., and the Life-boat having been made secure, was left there for the night.

It being Sunday, most of the crew had run down to the boat dressed in their best clothes, some even going without any breakfast. By the time they landed again in the evening they were all, owing to the roughness of the sea, both wet through and exhausted.

The Honorary Secretary took immediate steps to procure food for them, after which they were driven back to Berwick- on-Tweed, reaching home about mid- night. Next day they went over to Eyemouth, and brought the John and Janet back to her station.

An additional grant was made by the Committee of Management to the Coxswain and crew on account of their arduous work, and they specially recog- nized the services of the three men who boarded the vessel. A special letter of thanks was also ordered to be sent to the energetic Honorary Secretary of the Branch, Dr. C. L. FRASER, who also went out in the Life-boat on this occasion and shared the fatigues and dangers of the Life-boat men during their efforts to save the vessel.