AT the close of the year ended the 30th June, 1906, the United States Life-Saving Establishment comprised 278 stations, an increase of one station as compared with the total of the preceding year. All the stations were comprised in thirteen districts. Of these 278 stations 200 were placed on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts; 61 on the coasts of the great lakes and 17 on the Pacific coast.

It would seem that, as in previous years, the stations are not for the most part kept open and fully manned throughout the whole year, but keepers are on duty at every station during the entire year, this course being sufficient to meet necessities.

The number of disasters to documented vessels within the scope of the service was 357. There were on board these vessels 4,099 persons, of whom 19 were lost. Help was afforded at the stations to 811 persons, to whom an aggregate of 1,727 days' relief was furnished. The estimated value of the documented vessels was $10,187,545 and that of their cargoes $4,548,805, making the total value of the property imperilled $14,736,350. The estimated value of the property salved was $11,972,280, and of the property lost $2,764,070. Forty-nine vessels were totally lost. In addition there were 491 casualties to undocumented vessels (sailing and pulling boats, etc.) having on board 1,221 persons, of whom ten were lost. The value of the property involved in the undocumented was estimated at $304,790, of this $293,820 was saved and $10,970 lost.

In 591 instances, vessels valued with their cargoes at $7,966,450 were saved in circumstances which, but for the assistance rendered, would have involved serious or.total loss. In 440 of these cases, in which the endangered property was valued at $2,078,420, the station crews without assistance, other than that afforded by the crews of the vessels, saved property valued at $2,060,485. In the 151 remaining cases, involving property valued at ,888,030, the services of the lifesavers were rendered in conjunction with those of wrecking vessels, tugs and other agencies and the value of the property saved by these means was estimated to be $5,487,890. The station crews also afforded assistance of more or less importance to 654 other vessels, making a total of 1,245 vessels to which aid was extended.

The surf-boat was used 924 times, making 1,224 trips; the self-righting and self-bailing Life-boat 91 times, making 141 trips; the power Life-boats 12 times,:making 16 trips; the power launches 120 times, making 130 trips; the smaller boats 610 times, making 706 trips ; the river life skiffs at the Louisville Station 39 times, making 70 trips; the breeches buoy 15 times, making 207 trips; the wreck gun 16 times, firing 39 shots; the heavingstick 36 times. There were landed by the surf-boats 1,026 persons; by the selfrighting Life-boats 218 persons; by the power Life-boats 2 2 persons; by the power launches 213 persons ; by the river lifeskiff 62 persons; by other station boats 330 persons, and by the breeches buoy 189 persons. The station crews rescued 42 persons connected with vessels, without the aid of boats or of other life-saving equipment. Thirteen of these were taken from the surf, 14 had fallen overboard, 12 had suffered a capsize, 2 were taken from a piling, and 1, who had been attacked by heart disease, from a boat.

The total net cost of maintaining the United States Life-Saving Service during the year ended 30th June, 1906, was $1,832,465 plus the sum of $46,069 for the salaries and wages of the officers and other employes at the head office. Total, $1,878,534 (£391,361).