.—Four of the fishing cobles belonging to St. Abbs were overtaken by bad weather when at sea on the 19th March, and were in great stress owing to the heavy sea running. The Life-boat Helen Smitton was launched and stood by three of the boats until they got into the harbour safely, but the other one ran for Petty- cur Wick Bay for safety. The Life-boat was out for two and a half hours, and when she returned to harbour the sea was so heavy that she could not be replaced on the slipway; she was there- fore left at moorings until the weather moderated. This was the first service performed by the motor Life-boat recently placed at St. Abbs, and her sea-going qualities were spoken of highly..