At 6 P.M. on the 17th of May a full-rigged ship was observed on the Goodwin Sands, and just then a signal of distress was hoisted. The crew of the Life-boat Francis Forbes Barton were summoned and the boat was launched. On getting alongside they were at once engaged by the captain to assist in getting the vessel oft'. A tow-rope was conveyed to a tug and the Life-boat stood by until the vessel was out of danger ; she then returned to her station, arriv- ing at 10.45 P.M. The ship was the Scottish Isles, of Liverpool, bound from Rochester to Valparaiso with a cargo of cement, and when she grounded the sea was rough with a strong N.E.

breeze blowing..