At 9.40 A.M. on the 12th January, during a strong N.E.

gale, a message was received by tele- phone stating that a barge was at anchor near the sea-wall at Sandown.

She had a distress signal hoisted and was in great danger of driving ashore.

The Life-boat Charles and Susanna Stephens at once proceeded to her assist- ance. The gale was dead on shore and the Life-boatmen found the seas washing right over the barge. With the greatest difficulty Life-boatmen were put on the vessel and they narrowly escaped being washed overboard. The vessel had two anchors down, but she was in such shallow water that at first it was thought it would not be possible for the tug to get near enough to render assistance, and it was decided to rescae the crew. Before doing so, Lowever, the tug made an effort, involving great risk, to get a rope to the barge: it proved successful and the vessel was towed out of danger. The weather was very bad and there is little doubt that had the vessel not been extricated when she was, both she and her crew would have been lost. The vessel was the barge Jewish, of London. The Honorary Secretary, when reporting this case, stated that he considered that the crews of the tug and the Life-boat deserved much credit for the manner in which this service was successfully rendered, as the risks were very great..