Ballycotton, Co. Cork—At 6.50 A.M. on the 1st January a message was received at the Coast-guard Signal Station from the captain of the s.s. Pinna, of London, to the effect that he was in distress and required immediate assistance.

The vessel was drifting before a terrific S.W. gale, and it appeared likely that she might be wrecked at any moment on the rocks in the vicinity.

The information was promptly conveyed to the Coxswain, Richard Harding, who immediately summoned his crew, and the Life-boat T. P. Hearne was launched in the teeth of one of the worst gales that had been experienced for many years. The boat behaved splendidly in the tremendous sea running, and after a difficult passage .succeeded in reaching the distressed vessel. At that time her anchors were holding, and the captain threw a line to the Life-boat and asked the Coxswain to stand by and render assistance if it should be required.

Towards the afternoon the storm grew worse, and as two steamers were in the vicinity of the Pinna the Coxswain decided to take his boat to Knockadown, where she could remain in readiness to put off promptly to the vessel again, if the captain signalled for him. Later in the afternoon, as it was becoming dangerous for the boat to remain at Knockadown, the Coxswain again set out and with great difficulty brought the boat to Youghal, where the crew, who were very cold and hungry, were well looked after.

Four men remained on watch until j four o'clock next morning in case signals ; should be made from the Pinna, and about 5 o'clock tug-boats arrived on the scene and towed the vessel into Queenstown Harbour. The weather had moderated somewhat about this hour j and the Life-boat started to return to | her station, where she arrived at 11 o'clock on the 2nd January. j The Honorary Secretary in reporting ; this case spoke in the most eulogistic terms of the conduct of the crew of the Life-boat under very trying circumstances, and the Committee of Manage-ment granted the men an additional monetary reward.

Southend-on-Sea, Essex.—At 1.30 P.M. on the 1st January during moderately rough weather Acting Coxswain Culham I received a message stating that a barge appeared to be in difficulties. The crew of the Life-boat James Stevens No. 9 at once proceeded to the pierhead and the boat put to sea. The vessel proved to be the barge Outsider, of Rochester, bound for Leigh, laden with ballast. When the Life-boat reached her the master expressed his thanks to the crew for coming to his assistance, but stated that as the weather was moderating he did not wish to leave his vessel, but would be glad if the Life-boat would stand by.

She accordingly did so until the Coxswain was satisfied that the barge would require no further help.

Harwich, Essex.—On. the 1st January, in response to a report made by one of the Great Eastern Railway Steamers that a vessel was ashore on the South Shipwash Sands, flying signals of distress, the Steam Life-boat City of Glasgow was launched. When nearing the sand the Life-boat spoke a vessel which was lying at anchor, and this vessel, which was the Harriet, reported that the crew of the stranded vessel, twenty-five in number, were on board, and that they did not wish to be landed by the Life boat; the latter, therefore, returned ashore, where she arrived at 7.45 P.M. At about 9 P.M. a naval wireless message was received stating that the captain and chief officer were still on board the stranded vessel and that none of the ship's boats was left. The Life-boat, therefore, again put off, was carefully manoeuvred alongside, and saved the two men. The Life-boat then left the wreck and steamed to the s.s. Harriet, and informed them that the captain and chief officer had been rescued. When she arrived, the crew of the wrecked vessel, who were still on board the Harriet, elected to be taken ashore, and the Life-boat, having taken them on board, proceeded to Harwich where she landed the men at 3.20 A.M.

The wrecked vessel was the steamer Obidense, of Bergen, bound from Rotterdam to the United States with a general cargo. i Palling and Cromer, Norfolk.—The s.s. New Oporto, of West Hartlepool, ! whilst bound from Middlesborough to London with a cargo of iron, on the 8th January, stranded on the Middle Haisborough Sands. The crew of the Palling Life-boat Hearts of Oak and the Gromer Boat Louisa Heartwell were assembled and the boats put off to her assistance. On arrival arrangements were made with the master of the steamer to try to save the vessel, and several Life-boatmen were placed on board to jettison the cargo. The Lifeboats reached the vessel soon after ten ,' o'clock in the morning and the work ] was continued on board until about 8 P.M. when, owing to the wind and sea increasing, the hatches had to be closed. At about 11 P.M. it was found that there was a considerable amount of water in the stoke-hole and the steamer had taken a list to starboard; it was decided, therefore, to abandon the vessel, and ten of the men were taken off by the Palling Boat, and the remainder, seven in number, by the Cromer Boat. The Life-boats then returned to their respective stations.

The vessel eventually became a total wreck. 

Montrose, Forfarshire Early in the morning of the 8th January some of the motor fishing-boats put to sea, the ; weather at the time being moderate with but little wind. Later the wind shifted into the eastward and brought up a very heavy sea, causing the boats to run for safety. Three, however, were not sufficiently prompt in returning ashore and, as their return was attended by considerable danger to those on board, the Life-boat Sarah Jane Turner was dispatched to their assistance. One of the boats shipped a heavy sea in crossing the bar, but eventually all three succeeded in getting into safety.

Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.- - On the 13th January the Life-boat Colonel Stock was launched during foggy weather to the assistance of the ketch The Fane, of Bridgwater, which had stranded at Sand Point. There was a ' strong westerly breeze blowing at the time and the sea was rough. When the Life-boat reached the vessel the crew of three hands were promptly taken off and conveyed ashore, the Boat being moored in the harbour for the night.

Lynmouth, North Devon.—At 1 A.M. on the Hth January, Coxswain John Crocombe, received a message from the Coast-guard Station stating that information had been received by telephone to the effect that a vessel was firing signals of distress in Woody Bay. He at once took steps to summon the crew and the Life - boat Pritchard Frederick Gainer was launched and proceeded in tow of a steamer to the scene of the casualty.

When about a mile off the stranded vessel the Life-boatmen sighted a rowing- , boat burning lights, and this proved to be the ship's boat containing all the crew of nine hands. The Life-boat took the men on board and conveyed them in safety to Lynmouth, at the same time towing the empty boat in. The vessel, which became a total wreck through running on to the rocks, was the steam trawler Mikaga, of Cardiff, and was bound at the time from Cardiff to the Irish Sea. The weather was moderately rough, and the women of the village rendered much valuable help both in the launching and in hauling up the Life-boat, as so many of the men were away on active service.

Moelfre, Anglesea—The s.s. Earl ford, of Glasgow, was observed in distress about three miles from Moelfre Lifeboat Station on the 16th January, and the Life-boat Charles and Eliza Laura was promptly launched to her assistance.

On reaching the vessel the Life-boat took off the crew of ten men and landed them at Moelfre. The wind was blowing a gale when the Life-boat was launched, but it moderated somewhat after the men had been rescued.

Clacton - on - Sea and Walton - on - the- Naze, Essex. — During a moderate northerly gale on the 17th January, a wireless message was received stating that a trawler was ashore on the Barrow Sand. This message was conveyed both to Clacton and to Walton, and as a result the Albert Edward Motor Life-boat from the former station and the James Stevens, No. 14 Motor Life-boat, from the latter station, proceeded to the 'assistance of the vessel.

When the Clacton boat reached the scene of the casualty there was not sufficient water for her to get alongside, but when the tide flowed she did so.

The vessel proved to be the steam trawler Eaton, of Hull, which was engaged in war defence work. Later the Walton boat arrived on the scene, and both Life-boats stood by the vessel to assist her if necessary. Fortunately, the Eaton was able to get clear of the sands under her own steam, and the Life-boats returned to their respective stations. In this case the Harwich Steam Life-boat also went out, but her services were not required.

Cromer, Norfolk On the night of the 18th January signals of distress were seen in the vicinity of the Sheringham Shoal, and the Life-boat Louisa Heart-well was launched as soon as her crew could be assembled. A very heavy sea was running, and great difficulty Was experienced in launching through the heavy surf, a very heavy hail squall adding to the men's difficulties.

Coxswain Blogg proceeded in the direction where the flares were last seen, but failing to find any vessel in trouble, spoke a steamer which was at anchor in the vicinity of the sands.

He then learnt that a small sailing vessel had passed near the steamer, and bad burnt a flare in a south-westerly direction, also that flares had been seen in a south-easterly direction, but that the lights of the latter vessel had disappeared at about 2.30 A.M. during a very heavy hail squall. The Life-boat proceeded to search for the vessel, but failing to find her in the darkness, decided to anchor until daylight. At daybreak the Coxswain sighted a small sailing vessel, and at once proceeded i to her. She proved to be the ketch Thomas Stratton, of Maldon, bound from Hull to Grays with a cargo of coal. The master reported that he i had burnt flares for assistance during the night, as he had drifted into two fathoms of water, and had shipped a great deal of water in. the very heavy sea running. In addition, the ketch had sprung a leak. Six of the Life-boatmen were put on board and assisted to man the pumps and set sails, as the crew of four hands were in an exhausted condition.

When the Coxswain boarded the Thomas Stratton he saw the mast of another vessel on the sands, apparently about one mile distant. A thorough search was made through glasses, but as no sign of life or of a ship's boat could be seen, the Life-boatmen proceeded with their work of saving the ketch. When they had got under way a course was set for Yarmouth, and at about 3 P.M. on the 19th January they eventually succeeded in getting the vessel into Yarmouth Roads. It subsequently transpired that the steamer George Boyle was lost on the Sheringham Shoal during the night with all of her crew, and there is no doubt it was the mast of this vessel which the Coxswain observed from the deck of the Thomas Stratton.

During the whole of the time the Life-boat was afloat the weather was exceedingly bad, and in one of the squalls the Life-boat's mizen mast was carried away. In reporting the case the Honorary Secretary stated that it was an awful night when the boat was launched. The ground was white with hail, and the cold intense, and he considered that the service was one of the roughest and hardest that had ever been performed by the Cromer Lifeboat, and, further, that great credit was due to the Coxswain and crew. In recognition of the excellent services performed on this occasion, the Committee of Management granted each of the crew an additional monetary reward.

Fishguard, Pembrokeshire At about 5.20 A.M. on the 22nd January, signals of distress were observed on the schooner Hetty, of Falmouth, which was in Fishguard Bay. In response the crew of the Motor Life-Boat Charterhouse were assembled, and the boat proceeded to the vessel, which by this j time had drifted outside the eastern I breakwater and run ashore. When the Life-boat reached the distressed vessel the crew of four hands were rescued, together with their dog, and landed in safety at the quay. During this service a whole N.N.W. gale was blowing, with a heavy sea, and the weather was very cold, with rain and sleet falling.

Ramsgate, Kent.—At 9.45 A.M. on the 22nd January a message was received by wireless telegraphy stating that a steamer had run on to the remains of a wreck, near the North-West Goodwin Buoy, and wanted immediate assistance.

At the time a moderate W.S.W. breeze was blowing, and the air was thick with snow. The Life-boat in tow of the harbour tug promptly put to sea, and found the s.s. Goulburn hard and fast on top of a wreck, with her forehold full of water. The vessel was bound at the time from Sunderland to Australia with, a cargo of coal. As it was necessary to discharge part of the cargo, the Life-boat proceeded to Ramsgate for further assistance, and then returned to the vessel. Later, communication was effected with tugs, and they eventually succeeded in towing the vessel clear and conveying her in safety to London.

Padstow, Cornwall—At 6.30 P.M. on the 23rd January a message was received stating that a vessel was in distress about ten miles off Trevose Head. The Institution's tug was dispatched to her assistance, but in the darkness failed to find the vessel. She then returned ashore, and, a further message having been received next day respecting a vessel in distress, the tug again put to sea. She found the oil tank steamer Weehawken, of Swansea, disabled, and the tug, together with two steam trawlers, was engaged to try and save the vessel. Together they towed her to the neighbourhood of Barry, where they arrived at about 4.30 P.M. next day.

The men were then engaged throughout the night on the pumps, and next day the vessel was successfully docked.

During this service there was a fresh N.N.E. breeze with a moderate sea.

Margate, Kent.—At 3.30 P.M. on the 24th January information was received that a four - masted barque — the Cedarbank, of Tvedestrand—was ashore on the Long Sand, and that two agents were anxious to get to the vessel as she was in want of assistance. As the weather looked threatening, and the vessel had been ashore for some days, it was considered advisable to send the Life-boat to her assistance. The Eliza Harriet was, therefore, launched and proceeded to the Long Sand, but in the dark and the haze she was unable to find the barque. While searching she fell in with a tug and ascertained the bearings of the distressed vessel. A further search was made, but this also proved unsuccessful. The Life-boatmen then decided to wait until daylight, and as soon as they were able to see they proceeded to the barque which was aground. After a consultation with the captain, the Life-boat's crew were engaged to jettison the cargo, and they were employed on this work until 5.30 P.M. the following day, when the vessel was re-floated. The Life-boat then remained by her for three hours until they ascertained that she was all right, afterwards returning to her station.

Lowestoft, Suffolk.—At 5.45 A.M. on the 2nd February, Coxswain John Swan was called out by the Coast-guard as a vessel was burning flares as a signal of distress. He at once assembled his crew and launched the Life-boat Kentwell, which proceeded to the Newcombe Sands in tow of a tug. They there found the sprit sail barge Sirdar, of Grays, ashore and full of water, with heavy seas breaking over her. The Life-boat veered down to the vessel, and the crew of two men were immediately taken off and brought into harbour.

The vessel became a total wreck. Later in the day the Life-boat again proceeded to the vessel, but it was impossible to do anything to save her. At the time of the service a strong S.W. by S. breeze was blowing with a heavy sea.

North Sunderland, Northumberland At 9.20 P.M. on the 3rd February signals of distress were heard from the Longstone Lighthouse, and steps were immediately taken to launch the Lifeboat Forster Fawsett. Owing to the state of the tide and the muddy nature of the shore very considerable difficulty was experienced in launching the boat, but after a great deal of hard work it was successfully accomplished. She found the steam trawler Segal, of Grimsby, ashore on the rocks on the Fame Island, and the crew were engaged to try and save the vessel, which was returning from the fishing ground. A heavy kedge anchor was laid out, and after two hours' work the vessel was refloated, apparently but little damaged.

As the vessel was able to proceed on her journey, the Life-boat returned to her station. At the time of the accident the weather was hazy with a moderate S.S.E. wind, but while the Life-boat was returning to her station the wind increased to a strong gale.

Mumbles, Glamorganshire.—At 3 A.M. on the 4th February the Life-boat Charlie Medland was called out to the assistance of the schooner Til Away, of Fowey, which was in distress about two miles N.E. of Mumbles Head, and making signals of distress. The Lifeboat proceeded in the direction in which the lights had been seen, and eventually got alongside the schooner which had dragged her anchors. As the master of the vessel was of opinion that there was a danger of his vessel going to pieces he requested the Life-boat to take the crew off. This request was complied with, and the crew, three in number, including the captain, were landed at the Mumbles. The sea was heavy at the time.

Gorleston, Suffolk. — On the 5th February, when a moderate southerly breeze was blowing, a wireless message was received? stating that a vessel was ashore on the South Scroby Sands.

This happened at 5.45 A.M., and within twenty minutes the No. 1 Life-boat Mark Lane was on her way, under sail, to the distressed vessel. When nearing her the boat fell away to leeward and anchored until H.M.S. Halcyon came and towed her to windward. The Lifeboat then bore down on the stranded vessel, which was a submarine, veered down alongside, and remained there at the request of those on beard until the submarine was refloated. The Lifeboat then sailed back to harbour.

Southwold, Suffolk. — The ketch Zenobia, of London, whilst bound from Sunderland to London with a cargo of bottles, was overtaken by a S.S.E. gale when riding abreast Southwold Harbour, on the 5th February. At the time the master was alone on board, the two hands having landed earlier in the day and being unable to get back. As the sea was much too heavy for an ordinary boat to attempt to put to sea the Lifeboat Rescue was launched and proceeded to the vessel, which was on a lee shore.

Subsequently the Life-boat assisted the ketch into harbour.

Filey, Yorkshire.—Early in the morning of the 13th February twenty-two of the fishing-cobles put to sea in moderate weather. At about daybreak the wind backed into the E.S.E. and increased to a strong gale bringing up a very heavy sea. Ten of the cobles at once made for the shore and got into safety, but the other twelve put out to sea and when attempting to return to land encountered great risk of being swamped.

At about 9 A.M. the Life-boat Hollon the Third was launched to their assistance and stood by the boats until they all succeeded in getting into safety. Lifebelts were served out to the men in the cobles as they ran for the shore, on account of the danger.

Scarborough, Yorkshire.—At about 11 A.M. on the 13th February, J. Crawford, the Second Coxswain of the Lifeboat Queensbury, received information that two cobles were in difficulties about four miles off Scarborough, and as the sea was very rough and becoming worse he went to their assistance. After the boat had been at sea about an hour it was seen that it would not be possible for her to deal with both cobles, and a steam trawler named the Tarantula was, therefore, also dispatched. The Life- boat succeeded in reaching one of the cobles named the Friendship and took the crew of three hands on board, towing the coble in safety to the harbour. The crew of the other coble were saved by the Tarantula.

Newbiggin, Northumberland. — Sixteen of the cobles belonging to Newbiggin were overtaken by a strong gale which sprang up from the E.S.E, on the morning of the 13th February. At 11 A.M. it was blowing a whole gale and the sea got very heavy. The cobles made for land, and as they were in great danger the Life-boat Ada Lewis was launched. One of the cobles—the Sea Flower—got into broken water and was capsized, but fortunately the Lifeboat was able to rescue two of the crew, and the third was picked up by another coble. The men had a very severe struggle before they were picked up.

The Lifeboat also stood by the other fifteen cobles while they were getting into safety.

Staithes, Yorkshire. — On the 13th February, at 1.30 P.M., Coxswain Webster reported that seven cobles were at sea to the N.W. and that a strong wind, blowing from the E.S.E., would make it difficult for them to return. The Life-boat James Gowland was, therefore, launched, and stood by the boats while they were coming into port, as the passage was one of considerable danger on account of the heavy seas. All the boats got in in safety.

Douglas, Isle of Man—On the evening of the 13th February, Coxswain Robert Leece observed that a schooner, which had been lying in Douglas Outer Harbour for 'some days windbound, was flying signals of distress. The Life-boat Civil Service No. 6 was launched, and with considerable difficulty succeeded in reaching the distressed vessel. When near her the Coxswain let go his anchor and veered down to the schooner. On account of the very high sea running and the close proximity of the vessel to the rocks the operation was attended with considerable risk, but the boat succeeded in rescuing the crew of four hands and their dog. The boat then returned ashore. Owing to the severity of the weather it was impossible to re-house the boat, and she was placed at moorings until the weather moderated.

The schooner was the Catherine Latham, of Chester, bound from Connah's Quay to Dublin with a cargo of bricks and tiles. A strong E.S.E. gale prevailed at the time.

Cloughey, Co. Down—The Life-boat John was launched at 4.40 A.M. on the 14th February, and rescued the crew of twenty-four of the s.s. Antonio, of Bilbao. The vessel had stranded on the North Rock and, when the Lifeboat reached her, it was hoped that it would be possible to save her. After remaining near the vessel for some time it was found that she had made so much •water that it was desirable to convey the crew into safety. A strong N.E. wind prevailed at the time of the accident, and the sea was heavy.

Spurn, Yorkshire.—On the morning of the 15th February, during a moderate northerly breeze, with a heavy ground sea, a steamer was reported ashore about one mile N.W. of Donna Nook, flying signals of distress. The Life-boat was launched, and when she reached the position indicated, found the steamer C. T. 8 ashore. At the request of the captajn the Life-boat conveyed a wire hawser to a tug which was standing by. Efforts were made to tow the vessel afloat, but they proved unsuccessful, and, as the services of the Life-boat were no longer required, she returned to her station.

North Sunderland, Northumberland.— Signals of distress called out the Lifeboat Forster Fawsett at 4.40 A.M. on the 16th February. She found the steamer Chr. Ghristensen, of Copenhagen, ashore on the south end of the Longstone Island, where she had stranded whilst bound to the Tyne to load with coal for New York. The crew refused to leave the vessel, and at the request of the captain the Life-boat stood by until the next tide, when an attempt was made to refloat the vessel with the assistance of two tugs. These efforts proved unsuccessful and, as the weather was getting worse, the crew, nineteen I in number, were saved by the Life-boat.

At the time of the service a strong S. gale was blowing with a very rough sea.

Holyhead, Anglesey.—At 10.50 P.M. on the 16th February information was received that a ship close to the end of the breakwater was making signals of distress. The steam Life-boat Duke of Northumberland was promptly dispatched to her assistance and found the schooner Reaper, of Castletown, with her sails badly damaged. She had dragged her anchors and drifted right on to the breakwater, in such a position that two of the crew managed to jump ashore from the rigging. The three men remaining on board the vessel were saved by the Life-boat.

At the time of the service a strong S. gale was blowing with a very rough sea.

Flamborough, Yorkshire. — At 11.45 P.M. on the 16th February information was received that a vessel was making signals of distress about two miles to the south of the Head, and at about midnight the Life-boat Matthew Middlewood was launched. A whole S.S.E.

gale was blowing at the time with a heavy sea. On reaching the position indicated the Life-boat found the s.s. Rhenania, of London, ashore on the rocks, and rescued the crew of seventeen hands. At the time of the accident the vessel was bound from London to Blyth in ballast.

Looe, Cornwall At 7 A.M. on the 17th February a telephone message was received from Port Wrinkle stating that a large steamer was at anchor six and a half miles off the shore and flying signals of distress. A strong S.S.W. gale was blowing and the Lifeboat Rider was, with considerable difficulty, launched. When the Life-boat got close to the steamer she let go her anchor and veered down alongside, when six men of the crew of the vessel immediately jumped into her. She then had to sheer off on account of the heavy seas, and as the steamer's Anchors were holding, the captain requested the Life-boat to return to Looe and wire for tugs to come to his assistance. At 2 P.M., as only one tug had come to the vessel's help, the Life-boat went back to the steamer, although the weather had moderated considerably. In the meantime another tug arrived on the scene, and the vessel was eventually taken in tow. The Life-boat accompanied her for some little distance and then, finding that no further assistance was required, returned to her station. The vessel was the steamer Panama Transport, of West Hartlepool, bound from Havre to Newport in ballast. She was disabled owing to the loss of her propeller.

North Deal, Kent.—During a strong S.S.W. gale on the 17th February, the schooner Proba, of Bideford, whilst bound from Charlestown to London with a cargo of china clay stranded on the Brake Sands. Information of the casualty reached North Deal at 9.45 A.M., and the Life-boat Charles Dibdin was promptly sent to her assistance.

A very heavy sea was running, and the launch was only accomplished with considerable difficulty. When the Lifeboat reached the sands she found the seas making a clean breach over the vessel. The anchor was let go and the Life-boat veered down. It was only with great risk that the crew, five in number, were successfully rescued.

As soon as the boat got near to the schooner one boy jumped into the Life-- boat and two men got hold of the boat's mizen halyards and got into the boat in that way. A line was then thrown on board, and the captain made it fast to another boy, who was hauled through the sea into safety. The captain awaited a favourable opportunity and jumped into the boat. The Life-boatmen, when there was a smooth, got in their anchors after a hard task, and started for the shore. Owing to the strong wind and the state of the tide they were unable to make Deal and, therefore, ran for Ramsgate, where the five shipwrecked men were landed. As the weather continued very bad, the boat was left at Ramsgate and the crew returned home. Next day they proceeded to Ramsgate and took their boat back to her station.