— The Life - boat Frien Walch was launched in a heavy S.E. gale on the afternoon of the llth December to a French schooner, which was dragging her anchor and drifting ashore in Weymouth Bay. A tug endeavoured to tow the Life-boat to the schooner, but several attempts to get a hawser on board having failed, the boat proceeded to the wreck under oars. She proved to be the French schooner Ardente, of Pampora, bound to Troon in ballast. The Life-boat rescued the Captain and crew, five in number, the service being performed in heavy seas with blinding rain. It was witnessed by hundreds of people, who watched from the Esplanade. Heavy seas were encountered by the boat on her way back, and a tug towed her in. Wey- mouth was reached at about 5.30 P.M..