KILMORE, co. WEXFORD. — The schooner Antelope of Wexford stranded, during thick but moderate weather on the 6th May, about half a mile east of Bastardstown. Information of the casualty was received from the Coastguard at 3 A.M., and the crew of the Life-boat and launchers were assembled as quickly as possible. The Life-boat The Sisters was launched and proceeded to the schooner, took off the crew of five hands and landed them at 7 A.M. The vessel at the time of the accident was coasting with a cargo and was ultimately bound for Runcorn.

ROSSLARE HARBOUR, co. WEXFORD.— The Coastguard officer reported at 9.15 j A.M. on the 6th May that there was a ! vessel on the Long Bank signalling for immediate assistance. The assembly signal was fired and the Life-boat Tom ' and Jennie despatched. There was a | moderate S.W. gale blowing, and on j reaching the vessel it was found that she was bumping heavily. The master j stated that he wanted help to get his | vessel off and engaged the Life-boatmen ! to run out an anchor and to save the vessel if possible. Later a tug also' came to help, and eventually the vessel was floated in a leaking condition. The vessel was the steam-trawler Annie Melting, of Preston, and had ten men on board.

WHITBY, YORKSHIRE.—On the 14th May the first of six fishing-cobles returned to harbour, in a strong N.N.E. breeze, at 11.30 A.M. Four boats came in safely, and although everything was in readiness it was not considered necessary to launch the Life-boat. The fifth boat to come in -was the William and Tom, with three persons on board.

When on the bar she encountered some nasty seas, and one washed over her stern, nearly filling her; she then ran on top of the wave, turned and was filled by a second sea and sank. The coble Thankful, which had just previously come into harbour, manned by THOMAS LANGLANDS—Coxswain Superintendent of the Whitby Life-boats— and two other men, immediately put off to the help of the men who were in the water. In the meantime a buoy attached to a line had been thrown from the pier, and to it two of the men clung ; the third man was keeping himself afloat in the water and was the first to be rescued by the men in the coble. The task of saving the other two men was one of very great danger, but LANGLANDS displayed great courage and coolness. He could not get close to them, or his coble would have been stove against the pier, and it was therefore absolutely necessary to keep his coble head to sea—a difficult task, owing to the ebb-tide running round the pier- head and setting her athwart. On the first opportunity he approached them as near as possible and threw them a line, but they were unable to get hold of it. He then had to move off and await another favourable chance.

The second attempt was more successful, the men securing the line and being dragged through the heavy seas to the coble. During this time two of the oars had been washed from the coble, but she was handed in a masterful way, and as soon as the men were on board was pulled clear of the broken water.

"When the coble, William and Tom, capsized, orders were given for the launch of the No. 1 Life-boat, Robert and Mary Ellis, and she proceeded to Langland's coble, and took the rescued men on board and landed them at Whitby, Langlands in the meantime running to Runswick, which was reached in safety. The Life-boat, having landed the three men, put to sea again to assist the coble Jane and Mary. Having warned the crew, three in number, of what had occurred, they abandoned their boat and the Life-boat took them into safety.

The Committee of Management at their meeting next following decided, as a special mark of their appreciation of the conspicuous gallantry and skilful seamanship, to decorate Mr. THOMAS LANGLANDS with the Silver Medal of the Institution, and in addition to grant him and the two men who were with him a pecuniary award.

ABERDOVEY, MERIONETHSHIRE.— About 8 o'clock on the evening of the 16th May a boat was noticed on the north side of Aberdovey bar, riding in a most dangerous position with a moderate gale blowing from N.W. As the boat was in immediate danger the Life - boat William Srocksopp was launched to the assistance of those on the distressed boat. On arriving alongside they found her to be the trawler Louise, of Pwllheli, with two men on board. They stated that they had lost their three sails, and had been driven by the gale into their present dangerous position. They had neither food nor coal on board and no means of making distress signals. A rope was passed from the Life-boat and the trawler made fast and with the help of the little sail she had remaining the Life-boat towed her over the bar and into safety. There were heavy seas at the time on the bar, and the coxswain and crew were highly complimented on the successful manner they performed their awkward task, which was increased by the prevailing darkness.

GORLESTON, SUFFOLK.—On the 18th May, shortly after noon, information was received that a vessel was ashore on the Gorton Sands. The crew of the No. 1 Life-boat Mark Lane were immediately summoned and the Life-boat launched. On the inner bank, the brigantine Arsene, of Vannes, was found ashore. The master declined any active assistance, but the Marie Lane stood by the vessel about an hour, when on the flood tide she floated off and proceeded. During this service the wind was N.E. by N., and the sea was rough on the sands.

NORTH SUNDERLAND, NORTHUMBERLAND.

—The Life-boat Thomas Bewick was launched at 8.15 A.M., on the 19th May, to the assistance of two cobles which had put to sea, and had been overtaken by bad weather and rough sea. The danger flag was hoisted at the mouth of the harbour to warn the boats of the danger of coming in, and the first boat put about and made for the Inner Fame Islands. The life-boat went some distance to sea, but as the other coble was not in sight she returned to harbour. Later in the day the coble was seen making for the harbour, together with an Eyemouth fishing-boat, the Nazerine. The Lifeboat again put off and convoyed both vessels into safety.

LOWESTOFT, SUFFOLK.—About 7.30 P.M. on Sunday evening the 20th May, the Coxswain of the No. 1 Life-boat Kentwell was summoned from Divine Service to a vessel in distress at the back of the Gorton Sands. With all haste the crew were assembled, and the Life-boat left the harbour in tow of a tug. There was a strong N.E. gale blowing with a very heavy sea, and soon after starting the weather came on thick, necessitating a search for nearly an hour before the vessel could be located. She proved to be the cutter yacht Themis, of London, riding at anchor, her sails having been blown away and her gear and hull damaged.

The Life-boat was towed up to the yacht, and endeavours made to get alongside, but owing to the heavy sea of the tug, communication was effected by means of the Life-boat, considerable difficulty being experienced owing to the wildness of the sea. Both vessel and Life-boat were then towed into safety, harbour being reached at 2.30 A.M.

CULLERCOATS, NORTHUMBERLAND. — The Life-boat Co-operator No. 1 was running it was not until after the third attempt under canvas that the boat managed to reach the Themis. A rope was then thrown to her, but the crew were unable to hold it on account of the heaviness of the sea. However, after two more attempts, a rope was made fast and the boat got alongside.

Two men were placed on board, and the master having asked for the assistance launched at 6.30 A.M. on the 24th May, to assist six of the fishing-cobles, which had gone to the fishing-grounds about 2.30. The wind was blowing moderately from E.S.E., but the sea became heavy after the boats had gone out, and when | they wished to return it was breaking | heavily on the bar. The Life-boat, I therefore, went out and convoyed all 1 safely back to harbour.

SCARBOROUGH, YORKSHIRE.—The fishermen assembled on the piers about 3.30 A.M., on the 24th May, for the purpose of going off to their crab and lobster pots, but owing to the strong i sea only one coble, the Friendship, • ventured out. She left harbour, with • two men on board, about "4 A.M. .and proceeded to the pots, about four miles to the south - eastward. They commenced their work, but after a short, time the sea made so rapidly that they were obliged to desist. It being seen j .from the shore that they were in dim- ' culties, the Life-boat Queensbury was launched and sent to rescue them. The two men were taken into the Life-boat, and after the pots and gear in the coble had been lashed, she was taken in tow and brought safely into harbour at 9.30 A.M. There is very little doubt that, had it not been for the timely assistance of the Life-boat, both the men would have been drowned and the coble and her gear lost.

MARGATE, KENT.—At 10.30 P.M., on the 26th May, distress signals were | reported from the Princess Light-vessel, and the No. 1 Life-boat Eliza Harriet l was launched and proceeded to her.

There they learnt that a vessel had been j burning flares to the N.N.W. The' Life-boat at once proceeded in that i direction, and found a German three- j masted schooner riding to her anchor i on the edge of the Shingle sand in very ] shallow water. Active assistance was ! declined, as she was then afloat and the i tide flowing, Realising the dangerous position of the schooner, the Life-boat stood by her until she got into mid- channel and then returned home. There 1 was a strong S.S.W. breeze at the time and the sea was rough.

STAITHES, YORKSHIRE.—On the 4th June when the fishing cobles were at sea it greatly increased, and one boat when j attempting to reach the shore was capsized. Another coble went to the ; assistance of the crew of two men who i had been thrown into the water and rescued them. The Life-boat was also launched and accompanied four other j cobles to Runswick which was reached in safety.

FISHGUARD, PEMBROKESHIRE. — At 8.45 on the morning of the 13th June a message was received that a vessel was in distress near Strumbles Head about three miles from the Life-boat station.

The No. 2 Life-boat Appin was promptly manned and proceeded to the position indicated where they found the smack Margaret and Ann of Cardigan, anchored in a very dangerous position close under the rocks with a heavy ground sea running. When the Life-boat went alongside the Master stated that he required assistance, and engaged the Life-boatmen to save his vessel and take her to Fishguard Roads. Five men were placed on board, and having weighed the anchor, they succeeded with the assistance of a tug in reaching safety. The N.E. wind was moderate at the time but the sea was rough.

BROADSTAIRS, KENT.—During a moderate south-westerly gale and heavy sea on the afternoon of the 25th June, a small fishing-boat was observed about four miles to the east of Broadstairs with the crew making signals of distress by placing their jackets on oars. The craft was watched for some time to see if she could make the shore, but as she had got into the set of the tide and was being quickly driven out to sea, the Life-boat was launched without delay and made for the distressed boat.

When the Life-boat came up with her she was eight miles from the station and the crew of three men quite exhausted.

They were transferred to the Life-boat, their boat being taken in tow and Broadstairs reached safely some three hours later. The boat in question was the fishing-boat Aboukir of Margate belonging to Mr. R. Burleton and two days later the following letter was received from him by the Honorary Secretary :— "Margate, 26 June, 1906.

" DEAR SIR,—I wish to express my gratitude to the members of the Broadstairs Life-boat for their promptitude in putting off yesterday and rescuing my friends and self, who were out in my boat fishing and were carried away to sea by the wind and tide.

• " I am, yours faithfully, (Signed) " R. BURLETON." RUNSWICK, YORKSHIRE.—The Runswick cobles were at sea fishing on the night of the 28th June when they were overtaken by a gale from N.N.E. which suddenly sprang up. Fortunately some of the boats were in the shelter of the bay and their crews immediately hurried ashore and launched the Life-boat Cape of Good Hope. She at once proceeded to the assistance of the other cobles and having stood by until they reached safety returned ashore. Four of the endangered boats belonged to Runswick and two came from Staithes.

WHITBY, YORKSHIRE.—About 9 P.M.

on the 28th June the N.E. wind considerably freshened and gradually increased until about 11 P.M., when it was considered that the fishing cobles which were still at sea, were in danger. The No. 1 Life-boat Robert and Mary Ellis was therefore launched and proceeded to two cobles which were in the roads and stood by them expecting others to come from the south, but about 3 A.M.

as no more cobles arrived she accompanied the two over the bar and then returned ashore.

MARGATE, KENT.—About 1 P.M. on the 29th June, during a whole N. by E.

gale, information reached Margate that a ketch was in distress off Reculvers.

With considerable difficulty owing to the heavy surf breaking on the rocks, the No. 2 Life-boat Civil Service No. 1 was launched and proceeded to the vessel.

The sea was very heavy and at times filled the Life-boat but she freed herself well. On arrival the ketch Planer, of Padstow, was found stranded on the main with the sea making a clean breach over her, and practically under water.

The crew of four hands were successfully rescued and the boat made for Margate, arriving about 4.30 P.M. with all hands thoroughly wet through.

GORLESTON, SUFFOLK.—In foggy weather on the 7th July at 4.10 P.M. a telephone message was received from the Coastguard stating that a large steamer was aground on the Cross Sand. The steam Life-boat James Stevens No. 3 proceeded to the vessel which proved to be the s.s. Lydie, of London, bound north in ballast. After the Life-boat had stood by the steamer for a short time she floated off without assistance I and was able to proceed; the Life-boat I therefore returned to Gorleston, arriving at 7.30 P.M.

BROADSTAIRS, KENT.—About 5 P.M.

on the 20th July a small yawl was observed close to the Goodwin Sands in j a very dangerous position apparently j not under proper control, arid griping towards the sand. Within a short time it was seen that she had grounded and the sea was breaking over her. Without delay the Life-boat was despatched to her assistance. They found that she | was the Sea Belle, of London, and had j one man on board with his dog. At j first he declined any help, but when he j realised his danger he gladly availed himself of the proffered aid. The boat i was then taken in tow and conveyed j to Broadstairs, arriving at 10.30 P.M.

GORLESTON, SUFFOLK.—Soon after i 2 A.M. on the 22nd July the Coxswain of the No. 1 Life-boat Mark Lane was ! aroused and informed that signal guns 1 were being fired by the St. Nicholas Light-vessel. The crew were assembled I and the boat launched. She then pro- 1 ceeded, in tow of a tug, to the Scroby | Sands, and near ing them saw a steamer aground. She proved to be the s.s.

Windsor Castle, of North Shields, bound j from Lisbon to North Shields partly I laden with fish, and in the fog had stranded on the sands. Several Lifeboatmen were put on board, and by their and the tug's united efforts the steamer was got clear and able to proceed to her destination.

CADGWITH, CORNWALL.—A large fullrigged ship went ashore off Cadgwith oil the evening of the 1st August in a fresh southerly breeze and moderate sea, the Life-boat Minnie Moon was launched with all despatch and proceeded alongside her. Seven of the crew were taken into the boat, and at the request of the captain one of the ship's boats, containing some of the I crew's belongings, was towed ashore.

I The Life-boat at once returned to the I vessel, and as the wind was freshening and the sea increasing, twelve more of the crew were taken into safety. The captain and five of the crew however still remained on board, and the Lifeboat put off a third time. Those on board were disinclined to leave their ship, and the Life-boat remained in the close vicinity for upwards of an hour.

About 3 A.M. however the seas were making a clean breach over the ship, and the five men wanted to leave her but the captain was still averse to it, but at length when he realised that his ship was full and the poop knee deep in water he consented and all were safely rescued, the vessel becoming a total wreck.

It appeared that the ship, the Socoa, of Bayonne, left Cherbourg the day before and was bound for San Francisco with a cargo of cement.

The hon. secretary of the branch, the Rev. Henry Vyvyan, went off to the /Socoa when the Life-boat was launched, and remained with the endangered men until all were rescued. He was cordially thanked by the Committee of Management for his active co-operation.

PORT PATRICK, WIGTOWNSHIRE.—On the return of a fishing-boat from the Broadsea fishing-ground on the 3rd August the crew reported that they had not seen anything of the Klondyke, another fishing-boat of Port Patrick, which had two men on board. As there was a rough sea and a strong southwesterly wind with heavy squalls, some anxiety was felt for the safety of the fishermen. The Life-boat Civil Service No. 3 put off about 6 P.M. to render aid to the Klondyke if necessary, and having fallen in with her, accompanied her back into harbour.

CAISTER, NORFOLK.—At 12.15 P.M.

on the 4th August the smack Gladys, of Lowestoft, was observed on the Barber Sands, and the No. 2 Life-boat, Nancy Lucy was launched to assist her.

The wind was blowing strongly from the S.W. with frequent squalls, and the sea was heavy. On reaching the smack assistance was offered to try to get her off but the Master declined as he hoped to float his vessel without help.

As the position of the Gladys was somewhat dangerous and she was heeling over to such an extent that her lee rail was under water, the Life-boat stood by in case of need. Some three hours later however a Lowestoft tug arrived upon the scene and towed the smack clear.

FORMBY, LANCASHIRE.—During the afternoon of the 8th August, the Trawler No. 89, of Liverpool, stranded on Taylor's Bank. Towards sunset it was seen that the wind was backing and likely to increase; it was therefore thought advisable to send the Life-boat John and Henrietta in case of danger. She was accordingly launched shortly before 10 P.M. and proceeded to the trawler, which was found to be rolling and bumping heavily on the flowing tide.

Eventually the vessel floated, and on learning that she was not in need of further assistance the Life-boat returned to her station.

NEW BRIGHTON, CHESHIRE, and FORMBY, LANCASHIRE.—Shortly before 9 P.M. on the 12th August, a telephone message was received at New Brighton, stating that the training brig, James J. Bibby, of Liverpool, was ashore on Taylor's Bank, and making signals of distress. The steam Life-boat, Queen, proceeded to the place indicated, and there found the brig as reported. At the request of the Captain, the steam Life-boat stood by his vessel, and the Formby Life-boat, John and Henrietta, which had also come out, did the same, there being upwards of forty persons on the brig. About 1 o'clock in the morning a hawser was run by the steam Life-boat to a tug, which was unable to get near to the brig, and she was successfully towed off and taken to Liverpool.

The Life-boats then returned to their respective stations. The weather was moderate during this service. A few days later letters of thanks were sent to the crews of the Life-boats, expressing the appreciation of the Committee of Management of the training vessel at the prompt help given by the Life-boats.

ST. MARY'S, SCILLY.—In response to signals, the Life-boat, Henry Dundas, was launched at 1.15 A.M. on the 21st August. There was a dense fog at the time and after searching to the westward she proceeded to the Northern Rooks where she found the steam trawler, Grassholm, of South Shields, at anchor. Whilst bound for Cardiff in,the fog with a cargo of fish she had stranded on the rocks, but when the Life-boat reached her she had been warped off.

As she was leaking badly and the sea was gaining on the pumps, the Coxswain was engaged to try and save her and at 5.30 A.M. he brought her successfully into harbour.

CLACTON - ON - SEA, ESSEX. — About 6 A.M. on the 25th August, a small yacht with four persons on board was seen to be dragging her anchors in the prevailing S.W. gale, and it was deemed expedient to send assistance. Eleven of the Life-boat's crew therefore proceeded to her in the boarding-boat, and the anchor was weighed. The yacht then proceeded to Harwich Harbour with the Coxswain in charge. There was a rough sea at the time of the service, and the yacht—which was the Wild Base, of Burnham—was on a lee shore.

GREAT YARMOUTH, NORFOLK.—The Life-boat, John Burch, had just returned from exercise and been replaced in her house on the 25th August, when a vessel was observed near the Scroby Sands with her sails blown away. The vessel brought up but commenced to drive on to the sands. Seeing that she could not get out of danger without help, the Life-boat was promptly launched and proceeded to her. She was then in broken water, and on the arrival of the Life-boat, the Master at once engaged the crew to get his vessel clear of the sands. There was a moderate to strong W.N.W. gale blowing and the sea was very heavy, making it impossible for them to weigh the anchor; it was therefore slipped and a line was conveyed by the Life-boatmen to a tug which eventually succeeded in towing the vessel into safety. The vessel was the ketch Ellen, of Faversham, and at the time of the accident was bound to Goole in ballast with seven persons on board including two women and a child. This service, occurring when the town was very full, was witnessed by thousands of visitors.

GORLESTON, SUFFOLK.—At 4.25 P.M.

on the 27th August, the Coxswain of the Life-boat was 1 informed by the Coastguard that a vessel was ashore on the South Beach. With all haste the No. 2 Life-boat Leicester was launched, and proceeded to the vessel, which proved to be the dandy Consolation, of Lowestoft, bound to the fishing ground.

As the tide was still ebbing the Lifeboat stood by her until it was possible to pass a tow-rope to her from a tug in readiness to tow her off when the tide had made sufficiently to enable them to do so. As the Life-boat was then no longer required she returned to her station.

CARRICKFERGUS, Co. ANTRIM. — On the 5th September at about 2.30 P.M. a small open boat with one occupant left the harbour to return to Helen's Bay.

The wind was blowing strongly from W.S.W. and increasing, whilst the sea was heavy; the boat was therefore watched, and some two hours later, when she was seen to be driving out to sea and no hope of the occupant making the land, the Life-boat Zaida was launched. On reaching the boat it was found that she was in grave danger of being swamped, as the sea was very rough and the boat was not under control. The man was taken into the Life-boat and his boat taken in tow.

Both were conveyed in safety to Helen's Bay and the Life-boat returned to Carrickfergus.

FALLING, NORFOLK.—Early in the morning of the 17th September during a strong gale from N.N.W. with heavy rain squalls, a messenger arrived at Palling and reported that a vessel was ashore about three miles to the northward of the station. The crew and launchers were at once summoned and horses were sent for, and with the least possible delay the No. 1 Life-boat 54 A West Norfolk Regiment was transported to the scene of the wreck. A launch was effected, but owing to a steep sand - bank the Life-boat was unable to get alongside the wreck.

Communication was then obtained by ropes and a tail block, and by this means the crew of three hands were saved. The vessel was the barge Servic, of London, bound from Goole to Newhaven with a cargo of coal.

CAISTER, NORFOLK.—On the 18th September Caister supplied another stirring story of the sea, and while there is unfortunately some loss of life to record, the Life-boatmen, the men who " never turn back," have performed a fine rescue of half-a-dozen men under circumstances of the greatest danger and difficulty.

The disaster was one of a kind which has happily become unfamiliar ; the hapless men having to struggle for their lives almost the moment their vessel touched the fatal sands.

The ship was the Russian barque Anna Precht, of Mariehainn, carrying a crew of twelve hands, under the command of Capt. Jansson, and bound to Yarmouth from Borga, in Finland, with a cargo of wood used for box and case-making.

In an east-north-east gale and very heavy sea the vessel was running for an anchorage, when under the stress of the wind and strong tide she became unmanageable, and drove on to the Cockle Sands. Before a distress signal could be made the labouring vessel went to pieces.

There was no time to issue orders and every man had to look out for himself.

Three men got into the email boat—a feeble craft in a rough sea—and without oars trusted themselves to the mercy of the waves.

With the rain coming down in sheets, the Coastguard at Caister had not seen the disaster, but when they observed a small boat in the vicinity of the sands they at once aroused Coxswain Haylett, who mustered" his crew, and the No. 2 Life-boat Nancy Lucy was launched.

Meanwhile the little boat was thrown up on the beach, and the three men were secured by the Coastguardmen, who took charge of them, gave them warm drink and food, and a change of clothes. The Life-boatmen then learnt that there were still nine men on the wreckage. Day was breaking and the Life-boat soon found her way to the wreck on which the captain alone remained.

Having rescued him they proceeded to search, and on the wreckage they found a boy whom they unlashed and hauled to the Life-boat. Sailing on, j another piece of the vessel with four men ] clinging to it was found and they were also picked up. The boat then sailed about again but could not find any more.

Another of the men saved was picked up from a piece of wreckage which was ! seen by the crew of a steamer who j promptly rescued him and afterwards j transferred him to the Life-boat to land.

I All the men were practically unconscious ! through the effects of cold, wet and exposure. The Life-boatmen administered restoratives always carried in the boat, and. the Nancy Lucy then made for | Yarmouth, where on landing the four j men who had not recovered were conveyed to the hospital, together with i another who had had his head cut open.

j The remainder were sent to the Sailor's j Home where they were well cared for.

Two of the crew were missing having been swept a way when the vessel broke up.

The Lifeboat was left after the service in Yarmouth Harbour, as the crew j when launching in the heavy surf were drenched to the skin and it was necessary for them to go home for dry clothing. The Coxswain afterwards stated that the wreckage on which the men had taken refuge was in the midst of spars and wood and it was with great risk and difficulty that the Lifeboat was sailed through it to a position close enough to get to the distressed seamen, while in some cases part of the crew were obliged to get on to the wreckage to rescue the men.

The Committee of Management at their next meeting following, decided to mark their appreciation of the excellent seamanship displayed by the Coxswain Superintendent Mr. JOHN HAYLETT, and 1 the gallantry shown by him and the crew during this service, by conferring j the Silver Medal of the Institution upon ! him and granting the whole crew an additional pecuniary award.

The conspicuous gallantry of Mr. JOHN PLUMMER (Assistant Coxswain), } Mr. SOLOMON BROWN, and Mr. WALTER HAYLETT was also rewarded by the Silver Medal, they having very courageously leaped from the Life-boat on to the wreckage to save some of the men, who were benumbed and helpless.