ROSSLARE HARBOUR, co. WEXFORD.— During a moderate E.S.E. gale on the 1st January signals of distress were observed at 9.30 A.M. on a schooner lying at anchor in Rosslare Bay. The crew of the Life-boat Tom and Jennie were assembled, and in a heavy sea the boat proceeded to the assistance of those on board. On reaching the vessel the master reported that she was leaking badly and he required the assistance of a tug to tow him into harbour. At the request of the master the Life-boat therefore returned ashore to telephone for a tug. The vessel was the William Thompson, of Wexford, laden with coal and bound from Newport to Wexford.

KESSINGLAND, SUFFOLK.—At 7.30 on the morning of the 6th January a vessel was observed on the West Barnard Sand with a signal of distress flying.

Information was given to the Coxswain and the No. 1 Life-boat Bolton was smartly launched. On reaching the vessel, which proved to be the smack Young Bert, of Lowestoft, she was found to be in a bad state, having sprung a leak. The assistance of the Life-boatmen was accepted by the master and every effort was made to save the craft.

Eventually the efforts were successful aud the smack floated. She was then taken to Lowestoft accompanied by the Life-boat, the Life-boatmen remaining on board to assist at the pumps. The wind was blowing strongly from W.S.W.

with a heavy swell at the time of the service, and considerable difficulty was experienced in getting alongside the smack, some of the Life-boat's gear being carried away.

MONTROSE, FORFARSHIRE. — During a whole W.S.W. gale on the 6th January a fishing-boat was observed in the offing in a helpless condition, with her foremast carried away. In response to her signals the No. 1 Life-boat Sarah Jane Turner was promptly despatched to her assistance under sail, but before she could reach her another fishing-boat went to the help of the men on board.

The fishing-boat took the boat in tow and proceeded towards the harbour. As there was a heavy sea running the Lifeboat stood by the fishing-boats, until both were in safety, she then returned to her station and was re-housed. The disabled boat was the Caledonia of Ferryden.

ST. IVES, CORNWALL.—At about 9.15 P.M. on the 7th January, during a heavy N.W. gale, a vessel was seen running for the harbour, but on nearing the entrance she missed stays and was driven on to Porthminster Beach, first striking heavily on Pednolver Point.

Within a quarter of an hour the Life- , boat James Stevens No. 10 was launched and on her way to the distressed vessel.

After some little difficulty she succeeded in rescuing the crew, five in number, and in the teeth of the gale landed them safely in the harbour about 10.30 P.M. Owing to the heavy swell in the harbour the Life-boat could not be rehoused until 2 A.M. The vessel was the schooner Lizzie R. Wilce, of Falmouth, I and was bound from Swansea to St.

i Malo with a cargo of coal. She became a total wreck.

About three hours after she had been re-housed the Life-boat was again called out to the assistance of the schooner Mary Barrow, of Barrow. The vessel had been making for the harbour for shelter, but owing to the low state of the i tide she struck heavily on the ridge ! and was quickly driven ashore on the Porthminster Beach. The Life-boat anchored and veered down to the wreck.

After considerable danger, due to the very heavy sea, the five men on board were rescued and taken into safety.

The vessel, which also had a cargo of coal, was bound from Swansea to the Isle of Wight.

PENMON, ANGLESEY.—At 10.30 P.M.

on the 7th January the Coxswain of the Life-boat Christopher Brown received information by telephone from the lightkeeper at Trwyn Dhu Lighthouse, that a vessel in close proximity to the Dutch- man Bank was making signals. The crew of the Life-boat were summonec and the boat launched. On reaching the vessel, she proved to be the schooner Maggie BrocMebank, of Barrow. She was anchored in a dangerous position on the edge of the bank where she would ground at low water and very much exposed to the northerly wind should it freshen (which subsequently happened eventually blowing a whole gale). The master asked for assistance to remove his vessel to a safer anchorage and four Life-boatmen were placed on board. She was then taken up to Fryar's roads, the Life-boat accompanying her until in safety. The schooner was bound at the time from Southampton to Birkenhead with a cargo of steel rails.

MOELFRE, ANGLESEY.—One of the worst gales that had been experienced for some years blew off Anglesey on the 8th January, and at 8.40 A.M. the ketch Margaret Elizabeth of Beaumaris stranded near Moelfre.

The Life-boat Star of Hope was promptly launched and in a very heavy sea rescued the two men on board. The rescue was a timely one because two hours after the crew were taken off the ketch had gone to pieces on the rocks. At the time of the disaster she was bound from Cemaes to Glasson Dock with a cargo of oats.

SOUTHEND-ON-SEA, ESSEX.—Shortly before 9 A.M. on the 8th January a telephone message was received from the Maplin Lighthouse, stating that there was a barge ashore on the "Burrows" with a signal of distress in her rigging. There was a strong W.N.W. gale at the time accompanied by a rough sea, and with all promptness possible the Life-boat James Stevens No. 9 was despatched to the assistance of the men on board. About 10.30 the Coxswain found the barge Dorothea of Harwich stranded in the position indicated with her spirit broken and sails blown away. She was bound from Lowestoft to Grays, Essex, and her boat had been smashed. The Life-boatmen were employed to save the vessel and succeeded in getting her and her crew of two men into safety about 4 P.M.

The Life-boat then made for Southend, arriving at midnight.

PADSTOW, CORNWALL. — During a whole N.N.W. gale on the 8th January a vessel was sighted dismasted and apparently at anchor about eight miles off Trevose Head. The crew of the No. 2 Life-boat Edmund Harvey were summoned, and in tow of the Institution's tug she proceeded to the vessel. A very heavy sea was running and on arrival it was found that fourteen of the crew had been rescued by a steamer, whilst a boy had unfortunately perished before the arrival of help. Seven men still remained on board and with considerable difficulty they were rescued and conveyed into safety, Padstow being reached at 5.30 P.M. The vessel was the barque Europa of Bilbao.

GILES QUAY, co. LOUTH.—About 4 o'clock in the afternoon on the 8th January a telephone message was received from Newcastle stating that a schooner had been sighted to the southwestward drifting in an apparently disabled condition. A look-out was kept and an hour and a half later the vessel was seen to the south-east of Giles Quay. The Life-boat Providence was launched and on reaching the vessel found that she was the schooner Ethel of Drogheda, bound from Dublin to Belfast with a cargo. A heavy sea was running and in the fresh E.N.E. gale the schooner's foreyard was carried away and all the head sails had blown away. At the request of the Master five of the Life-boatmen went aboard and stowed the torn canvas; the Lifeboat then stood by the vessel until the weather moderated about 3 A.M. the next morning.

LOWESTOFT, SUFFOLK.—The schooner Janet, of Carnarvon, whilst bound from Yarmouth to Portsmouth, with a cargo of wood, stranded on the 10th January on the Holm Sand. The No. 1 Lifeboat Kentwell, in tow of a tug, proceeded to her assistance, but just before she ;ot to her the schooner knocked over .he sand into deep water. As she was leaking badly several of the Life-boat- men were put on board and they assisted to make fast the tow-rope from the tug.

The vessel was then taken to Lowestoft Harbour accompanied by the Life-boat.

During this service the sea was heavy but the wind was light.

ROSSLARE HARBOUR, co. WEXFORD.—- About 8 P.M. on the 11th January, the Coastguard reported that there was a vessel on the Splaugh rock, and the Life-boat Tom and Jennie was promptly despatched to her assistance. After a heavy beat against wind and tide the Life-boat found the schooner Navigator, of Arklow, as stated. She went alongside and rescued the six men on board, regaining her station at 6 o'clock the next morning. The schooner was bound from Liverpool to Foynes with a cargo of coal, and but for a sudden change in the direction of the wind after the crew were rescued she would have become a total wreck.

KESSINGLAND, SUFFOLK.—About 10 P.M. on the 15th January, the Coastguard watchman reported that a steamer was blowing her whistle apparently close to the shore. The weather was thick at the time and nothing could be seen, but on the fog lifting a little a steamer was observed stranded two miles to the southward. The Coxswain at once decided to launch the No. 2 Life-boat St. Paul. On arriving on the scene of the casualty the steamship Briton, of Stettin, bound from Calais to Leith with a general cargo, was found in need of assistance. The crew were at once employed to salve the vessel, and the majority of the Life-boatmen were placed on board. It was then seen that to save the vessel additional help would be necessary, and signals to the shore were accordingly made. In response the No. 1 Life-boat Solton was launched and reached the steamer shortly after midnight. Throughout the night the Life-boatmen in conjunction with tugs worked to float the vessel, and at 8 A.M.

on the 16th idem, they were successful, the steamer being taken to Lowestoft.

During the night there was a very rough sea alongside the steamer and the men were exposed to a strong and bitter S.S.W. wind.

PALLING and WINTESTOX, NORFOLK.— At 9.25 A.M., on the 16th January, a telephone message was received at Palling stating that a steamer was ashore on the Hasboro' Sands.

The No. 2 Life-boat Hearts of Oak was promptly despatched and found the s.s. Excellent of Sunderland, bound from the Tyne to London with a cargo of coal on the sand. The weather at the time was hazy, the wind about S.W., a fresh breeze and a nasty choppy sea.

The Life-boat in going alongside the steamship received considerable damage being partially stove in, but the crew were engaged to try and salve the vessel and failing that to save the twenty-two men on board. The crew of the Winterton No. 2 Life-boat, which had also put off to the vessel, were in addition engaged by the Captain to assist in the salvage work. Anchors were run out and the work proceeded until the afternoon when with the assistance of a tug the vessel got off. She was then taken, accompanied by the Life-boats, into Yarmouth Harbour, the Life-boats getting back to their respective stations next day.

NEWBIGGIN, NORTHUMBERLAND.—A strong westerly gale with a rough sea came up, on the 16th January, whilst the fishing cobles were at sea, and about 11 A.M. the Life-boat Ada Lewis was launched to attend them into safety.

The gale having arisen quite suddenly the fishing gear had to be left, and the Life-boat was launched very hurriedly.

Some of the crew being at sea a scratch crew manned the boat and the women of the place assisted in launching her.

Great alarm was felt for some time for the safety of one coble whose sail had been lowered as she could not be seen in the spindrift; happily however the boats reached the harbour in safety.

WALMER, KENT.—The four-masted barque Lisbeth of Hamburg, whilst sailing into the Downs on the 17th January took the ground off Walmer Castle. The Coastguard having warned the Coxswain of the Life-boat Civil Service No. 4, the boat was launched and proceeded to her. At the request of the captain the boat stood by the barque until about 10 P.M., when with the help of a tug the vessel was floated.

A moderate W.S.W. gale was blowing at the time and the sea was rough.

CLOVELLY, NORTH DEVON.—At about 4.15 on the morning of the 27th January •during a thick fog a boat with nine men in her landed at Clovelly. They reported that their steamer, the Huddersfield, of Cardiff, was ashore about four miles to the westward with the remainder of the crew, twelve in number, on board. The sea was rough with a heavy ground-swell and the wind was strong from W.S.W.

The Life-boat Minor Soget was launched and found the steamer as reported about a mile from the Hartland Lighthouse, with the sea making a clean breach over her. All the boats on board had been smashed and the men had no means of escape. The twelve were successfully rescued and conveyed to Clovelly, where they were landed at 9.30 A.M.

The vessel was bound from Barry to the River Plate with 3,000 tons of coal, and when the men were rescued the steamer was completely submerged.

NORTH SUNDERLAND, NORTHUMBERLAND.

—A stormy westerly breeze was blowing in the early morning of the 27th January, and only three of the North Sunderland cobles ventured out, two or three from Beadnell being out.

During the forenoon the wind freshened until it blew a hurricane from W.N.W.

As it was evident that the North Sunderland craft intended to try and make the harbour the Life-boat. Forster Fawsett was launched to protect the men on board. With considerable difficulty and risk the cobles got in, one being nearly capsized between the piers.

The Life-boat then proceeded to one of the Beadnell boats named the Sea Nymph. If the wind had held she could not have got in but must have been blown out to sea. The wind however eased somewhat and the coble made the harbour at Beadnell safely, being attended by the Life-boat the whole way.

YARMOUTH, NORFOLK.—Shortly after noon on the 28th January the brig Fleetwing, of Carnarvonshire, whilst bound to King's Lynn, was observed to miss stays when close to the Scroby sands and let go her anchors. As it was thought that the vessel was on the sands, the Life-boat John SurcJi was launched to her assistance. On arrival it was found that she was not actually aground but in a very dangerous position, with the sea breaking quite close to her.

The Life-boat's crew were employed by the captain to get the brig's anchors which had fouled, and to get the vessel into a safer position. With the assistance of a tug this was accomplished, and the vessel was towed into Yarmouth Roads and anchored.

ST. IVES, CORNWALL.—About 8 P.M.

on the 28th January, during a very strong N.N.W. gale, signals of distress were seen from a ketch which had put into the bay for shelter and was riding heavily to her anchors. The Life-boat James Stevens No. 10 was launched, and within half-an-hour had rescued the three men on board. The ketch was the Yswith, of Padstow, and was bound at the time from Llanelly to Palmouth.

When the Life-boat had rescued the crew she then proceeded to the trawler Victor, of Brixham, which was also riding heavily, and having rescued the four men on board, she made for the harbour, where all were landed in safety.

Shortly afterwards the ketch parted her cables and was driven ashore on Carrack Gladden beach, where she became a total wreck.

The trawler Victor happily rode out the gale, and next morning the Lifeboatmen replaced the crew on board and assisted to work the craft out of the bay.

RAMSEY, ISLE OP MAN.—The Lifeboat Mary Isabella was launched at about 8.45 P.M. on the 28th January, in a moderate N.E. gale, in response to distress signals from a schooner about two and a half miles off the harbour.

She was riding at single anchor, her sails having been blown away, and it was feared she would drag. A heavy sea was running. On the arrival of the Life-boat the four men on board were rescued and taken into safety. The vessel was the schooner Quiding Star, of Runcorn, and was bound at the time from Teignmouth to Glasgow with a cargo of clay.

YARMOUTH, NORFOLK.—On the 30th January the schooner John Pickard, of Goole, whilst bound to London with coal, sprang a leak when near the South Caistor Buoy. Her signals of distress were observed by the Coastguard, who reported them to the Coxswain of the Lifeboat John Burch. The boat was at once of the Life-boat Civil Service No. 6, considered it advisable to launch the Lifeboat.

The crew were summoned and the boat launched. On reaching the Begalia, the master stated the clew of the mainsail had started, and there was considerable danger of it blowing away.

The Life-boat therefore stood by the vessel and accompanied her to land in case she should have been rendered helpless.

FLAMBOBOUGH, YORKSHIRE. — At 6 A.M. on the 4th February a telephone By permission of Mr. Henry Jackson, Liverpool.

launched and proceeded to the schooner, whose captain engaged the crew to save her. Men were placed on board to assist with the pumps, and by the united efforts of the Life-boatmen and a tug the vessel was taken into the roads.

DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN.—The fishing vessel Begalia, of Douglas, was under observation about seven miles off the shore on the 3rd January, on account of the very choppy sea and the strong W.N.W. gale prevailing. About noon the vessel was missed, and the Coxswain message was received stating that a ship was burning flares as a signal of distress close to the headland. With all haste the No. 2 Life-boat Matthew Middleuood was launched and proceeded to her.

They found that she was the ketch Princess May, of Littlehampton, bound for Sunderland loaded, and in the strong north-west gale had lost one of her masts. Assistance was offered- but declined ; the Life - boat therefore stood by the ketch until it was seen that she would be able to get into safety. The boat then returned ashore.

RUNSWICK, YORKSHIRE.—Fifteen of the fishing cobles belonging to Staithes and two belonging to Whitby had gone off in the morning of the 7th February to the fishing, when a heavy sea came on, rendering it impossible for them to reach their own ports. Owing to the men's lack of knowledge of the peculiarities of Runswick Bay and the danger in the heavy sea, the Coxswain of the Life-boat Gape of Good Hope launched his boat and assisted them all into safety.

NEWHAVEN, SUSSEX.—At 10.30 A.M.

on the 8th February the Coastguard reported that a fishing vessel was ashore about four miles to the eastward of Newhaven Harbour. The weather was moderate, but as the sea was making and the wind freshening, the motor Lifeboat Michael Henry proceeded to her.

The vessel proved to be the Volunteer, of Colchester, and at the request of the skipper the Life-boat stood by her until she floated. The Life-boat then returned to her station. To perform this service the motor, which had recently been fitted in the Life-boat, was used.

The motor worked admirably and gave the greatest satisfaction.

WHITBY, YORKSHIRE.—During a very light N.N.W. breeze, on the 10th February, the coble Robert and Mary, belonging to Whitby, came from Runswick to work her crab-pots at the back of Whitby rock. There was a heavy sea on the Bar and a very strong outset; the Rocket brigade therefore had a line and life-buoys stretched between the piers.- About 2.30 P.M. the coble made for the harbour, and as there was great risk to those on board, the Coxswain considered it advisable to launch the Life-boat Robert and Mary Ellis, more particularly as, should anything happen to the coble, the occupants would be driven outside the harbour and be out of reach of the life-buoys. After the Life-boat had started, the crew of the coble signalled to her to go to them. She accordingly did so and escorted the coble in.

KINGSTOWN, co. DUBLIN.—On the 14th-15th February, shortly after midnight, the Coastguard reported that a vessel was ashore near the Sutton Coastguard station, on the north side of Dublin Bay, and with all haste the No. 2 Life-boat Dunleary was sent to her assistance. There was a strong S.

to W.S.W. gale at the time, and the sea was rough. On reaching the vessel, which was the schooner Truthseeker, of Runcorn, bound for Dublin, the crew declined to leave their vessel and stated that they did not require any help.

The Life-boat then stood by her until morning, in case their services should be required, but the wind having then moderated, and the schooner being high and dry the Life-boat returned to Kingstown.

NORTH SUNDERLAND, NORTHUMBERLAND.

—The steamer Geir, of Bergen, whilst bound for Blyth in ballast, stranded on the Knavestone Rock, Fame Islands, on the night of the 18th February, during a northerly gale and heavy sea. Information reached the North Sunderland Life-boat Station about 7 P.M., and within a few minutes the Life-boat Forster Fawsett was launched.

On arriving at the scene of the wreck, it was necessary for the Life-boatmen to use the greatest caution in approaching her, on account of the exceedingly dangerous nature of the locality. Even in fine weather the sea is heavy there, and the tide and current are very strong.

To go alongside the steamer to rescue the crew was not possible. The Coxswain, James Robson, therefore, after fully considering the matter, decided to land on an adjoining small rock, taking a life-buoy with him. When he had safely accomplished this, the Life-boat was pulled out into a safer position.

By means of lines the crew of the steamer, fourteen in number, got to the rock on which the Coxswain stood, and then, placing themselves in the lifebuoy, they were one by one hauled through the sea to the Life-boat, the Coxswain being the last man to go aboard.

The conduct of the Coxswain, who was only twenty-eight years of age, in acting in the manner he did, was both gallant and praiseworthy, and a large number of people who awaited the Lifeboat's return, loudly cheered the crew when she entered the harbour about 11 P.M.

The Committee of Management, in recognition of the gallant conduct and zeal displayed by the Coxswain, awarded him the silver medal of the Institution.

The presentation was made publicly, about a month later, by the Chairman of the Local Committee, and on the same occasion a framed certificate of service was presented to MICHAEL ROBSON, his father, who had recently relinquished the post of Coxswain Superintendent in favour of his son, after many years of faithful service.

FILEY, YORKSHIRE. — The fishing cobles belonging to Filey had, as usual, gone off for the fishing in the early morning of the 22nd February. The wind increased, until about 10.30 A.M.

it was blowing a gale, and six of the cobles were to the northward of the Brigg. As it was realised that they could not reach home without danger to the crews, the Life-boat Hollon the Third was launched and proceeded to them.

The wind continued to increase until a whole gale was blowing, but happily with the assistance of the Life-boat all the cobles were in safety by 2.15 P.M.

HOLYHEAD, ANGLESEY.—An exceptionally severe gale was experienced on all coasts of the United Kingdom on the 22nd February, and about 12.40 P.M.

the steam Life-boat Duke of Northumberland was called out to the assistance of the s.s. Bencroy, of Liverpool. The wind was blowing W.S.W., and owing to the heavy seas outside the harbour the steamer was not under control.

Before help could reach her the vessel let go her anchors, but they did not hold, and when the Life-boat reached her she was actually on the breakwater.

Prompt help was given, two Life-boatmen being placed on board and ropes run to another steamer. By this means the vessel was towed clear and taken to a safe anchorage.

Very shortly after the Life-boat had returned she was again called out to the s.s. Harold,oi Liverpool, and succeeded in rescuing her crew of nine hands. (For full particulars of this service see August LIFE-BOAT JOURNAL, page 542.) PORT LOGAN, WIGTOWNSHIRE. — During a W.N.W. hurricane with sleet showers on the 22nd February a message was received from the Coastguard at Drummore stating that a vessel about half-a-mile to the east of the harbour was making signals of distress. The crew of the Life-boat Thomas McOunn were immediately summoned and the Life-boat was transported by road to Tirally Bay, where she was launched.

The sea was very heavy, and the vessel was riding heavily to her anchors, the crew of three hands being afraid that she would founder. The Life-boat took the men off and landed them at Drummore Harbour about 6 P.M. The vessel was the ketch Jane, of Belfast, bound from Garlieston with stone.

THURSO, CAITHNESS-SHIRE.—At 4.45 P.M. on the 22nd February, the barometer having suddenly dropped to 28 • 2, with a full gale of wind from west, the schooner Barbara, which was lying in Scrabster Roads, made signals of distress.

The crew of the Life-boat Cooperator No. 3 were summoned, and at 5.20 P.M., the wind having increased to hurricane force, the boat was launched and proceeded to the Barbara. Having taken off the four men on board she proceeded to the schooner Smethurst, whose crew were also taken into the Life-boat. When this was safely accomplished, an attempt was made to return to Scrabster Harbour, but in the prevailing gale it was not possible. The boat therefore made for Thurso River Harbour, where they landed safely at 6.30 P.M.

PAKEFIELD, SUFFOLK.—On the 22nd February, during a whole W.S.W. gale, accompanied by thunder and lightning, the Assistant Coxswain of the Life-boat saw a vessel caught in a squall, her sails blown away and her foretopmast stay carried away. As the vessel appeared to be unmanageable he gave the alarm, and the crew of the Life-boat The Two Sisters, Mary and Hannah, were mustered.

The boat proceeded under sail to the vessel, and on arrival the captain stated he wanted assistance. She proved to be the brigantine Alroyd, of London, bound to Shields with a cargo of burnt ore. She was about half-a-mile from the Newcome Sands, where the sea was very heavy.

Life-boatmen were put on board and the vessel anchored. The Life-boat then remained with her until about 9 P.M., when a tug arrived, and the Alroyd was towed to Lowestoft.

- • PALLING, NORFOLK.—At 5.10 P.M. on the 22nd February, during a W.N.W.

hurricane, the schooner Lord March, of Whitstable, was observed about five miles to the north of Palling, flying signals of distress. With all speed the crew of the No. 2 Life-boat Hearts of Oak were summoned and the boat launched. On nearing the vessel it was found that she had lost both sails and gear, and it was with considerable difficulty, owing to the wreckage, that the Life-boat approached her. One Lifeboatman got on board, when the force of the wind and tide carried the boat away. After repeated efforts more men were placed on board, and with their assistance the vessel and her crew of seven hands were taken into Yarmouth Roads, where the vessel was anchored until towed into harbour by a tug next morning.

LOWESTOFT, SUFFOLK. — At about 6.45 P.M. on the 22nd February the Coastguard reported that a vessel was burning flares near the Pakefield Gatway.

The Coxswain of the No. 1 Lifeboat Kentwell at once assembled his crew and the boat proceeded in a whole W.S.W. gale and heavy sea to her assistance. On reaching the vessel, which proved to be the trawler Arizona, of Lowestoft, they found that her sails had blown away in a squall and all the ropes had been lost overboard. The Life-boat stood by the vessel for some time and then, at the request of the master, signalled for a tug. On the arrival of a tug the vessel was taken into Lowestoft Harbour, the Life-boat accompanying her.

GREENORE, co. LOUTH.—At 10 A.M.

on the 25th February the Coastguard at Kilkeel reported that there was a skiff apparently in difficulties and in want of assistance about five miles off.

Within ten minutes of the message being received the Life-boat Sir Arthur Blackwood was launched. When off Kilkeel she obtained the bearings of the boat, and proceeded to search for her. Fortunately, they succeeded in reaching her and found that she was the lugger Golden Hope, of Newry, with six men on board. She was in trouble owing to the heavy sea and wind, the latter in the squalls, blowing with the force of a gale. She was under close-reefed sails, and the Life-boat stood by her whilst beating into Kilkeel. In this they were happily successful, and the crew afterwards expressed their gratitude for the Lifeboat's useful services.

GIRVAN, AYRSHIRE.—At 11 A.M. on the 25th February, during a strong N.N.W. gale, the fishing-boat Renown, of Girvan, was seen returning from the fishing-grounds. As the sea was heavy and the bar was very bad, it was thought advisable to launch the Lifeboat James Stevens No. 18. When the fishing-boat was reached, the master was informed that the bar was too rough for him to attempt to cross. The Renown, therefore, accompanied by the Life-boat, made for the shelter of Woodland Bay. The crew of the Life-boat assisted in anchoring the fishing-boat, took the crew of four men off and landed them in the harbour about 3 P.M.

DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN.—The Lifeboat Civil Service No. 6 was launched at 10.20 A.M. on the 25th February to the assistance of three fishing-boats belonging to Douglas, which were caught by a whole N.W. to N.N.W. gale, which suddenly sprang up. Fortunately the Life-boat was able to render the assistance necessary, and by towing the three boats into safety saved them and their crews of nine men.

In the meanwhile, the fishing vessel Regalia had her mainsail blown away in a squall, and she was drifting in an almost helpless condition when another fishing-vessel, the Marguerite, went to her assistance. As soon as the three boats were in safety, the Life-boat again put to sea to render help. Having reached the disabled vessel, it was found that she was in tow of the Marguerite, the Life-boat therefore stood by them until they got safely into harbour.