Ranugate, Kent.—During a strong S.S.W. gale on the 17th February the fishing-vessel Iris of Lowestoft, carrying a crew of three hands, stranded in Pegwell Bay. Information that the vessel was in danger reached Ramsgate at 11.45 A.M., and the Life-boat in tow of the Harbour Tug at once proceeded to her assistance. As the vessel was on a lee shore and in great danger, four men were put on board in the hope of extricating her from her perilous posi- I tion, but in spite of their efforts the ] ship took the ground and began, in the heavy sea, to make water. Realising the great danger of those on board the Life-boat let go her anchor, veered down to the vessel, and rescued the crew and took off the four Life-boatmen.

With great difficulty she managed to reach out into open water and then sailed to Ramsgate, where the men were landed with the effects which they had managed to take with them. The vessel had every indication of becoming a total wreck.

Padstow, Cornwall.—About 1.30 P.M.

on the 17th February information was received that a steam drifter was aground on the Doom Bar, and as soon as it was seen that she had not refloated on the flood-tide the Life-boat Arab was dispatched to her assistance. The drifter proved to be the True Friend, of Lowestoft. The Life-boat conveyed a hawser from the vessel to the shore, and with the assistance of the shore capstan the vessel was refloated, and having got clear of the Bar she proceeded into harbour. A strong S.W. gale prevailed at the time, but the sea was moderate.

Bull Bay, Anglesey At 11.30 A.M.

on the 20th February, during calm smooth weather, Coxswain Jones of the Life-boat James Cullen received a telephone message from the Coastguard asking him to launch the Life-boat as quickly as possible as a steamer had been torpedoed by a submarine. The boat was promptly launched and with a volunteer crew proceeded in the direction indicated by the Coastguard. When about three miles S.E. of Lynas the Life-boat fell in with one of the ship's boats containing twenty-one men. The majority of the men were only slightly clad. They were taken into the Lifeboat, which was afterwards picked up by a Government boat and towed to Amlwch Harbour. The vessel was the s.s. Cambank of Cardiff.

Kingsdown, Kent.—On the afternoon of the 24th February a vessel was observed to run ashore close to Kingsdown.

The crew of the Life-boat Charles Hargrave were assembled, and with the assistance of the haul-off warp the boat was launched, and proceeded to the vessel, which proved to be the barque Alfheim, of Mandal, bound from Mobile to London. With great difficulty the Life-boatmen boarded the ship, but the captain stated that he did not require their services, and only wished the boat to. stand by him in case the vessel did not float on the floodtide.

The Life-boat, therefore, remained with the ship until the following highwater, when she succeeded in getting clear. The boat then returned to her station, being assisted by a tug-boat.

Spurn, Yorkshire At 12.30 A.M. on the 27th February the watchman reported that a vessel was ashore on the Inner Binks. A strong S.S.W. gale prevailed at the time with a heavy sea, and the Life-boat was promptly launched. As it was impossible to reach the vessel under sail a Torpedo- Boat Destroyer, named the Wolf, was hailed and took the boat in tow, towing her well to windward. The boat then bore down on the wreck and with great difficulty got alongside. She found the sea making a clean breach over the vessel and was just in time to rescue the crew of four hands before she sank. The vessel was the schooner William and Alice, of Hull, carrying a cargo of iron, and owing to her swinging spars the Life-boatmen were exposed to great risk while performing the rescue.

Another vessel also stranded on the sands but she succeeded in getting clear without assistance.

Penlee, Cornwall—On the 27th February the motor ketch Truly, of Tralee, struck the Runnelstone whilst bound from Cardiff to Penzance with a cargo of flour. Signals of distress were made and in response the Life-boat Elizabeth and Blanche was launched. She fell in with the vessel and placed two Life-boatmen on board and then obtained the services of a tug. The ketch and her crew of six hands were eventually assisted in safety to Penzance Harbour and by the time she reached the pier her decks were awash.

Barry Dock, Glamorganshire. —- At 2.30 A.M. on the 5th March the Barry Coastguard reported that a steamer was ashore about three miles west of Barry Island, and in need of assistance. The Life-boat John Wesley was launched and in tow of a pilot-vessel proceeded to the steamer in distress. When she arrived she found a patrol steamer was alongside taking off some of the men; the women and children having been taken off by another steamer before the arrival of the Life-boat. The Life-boat then stood by the steamer until she was successfully refloated, and returned ashore.

Hfracombe, North Devon.—On the 7th March the s.s. Bengrove, of Liverpool, whilst outward bound from Barry Dock, was torpedoed, and very quickly foundered, about five miles to the north of Ilfracombe. Signals of distress were heard and the Life-boat Co-operator No. 2 was launched as quickly as possible.

Another steamer stood by the torpedoed vessel, and when the Life-boat arrived on the scene she had already taken the crew off the Bengrove. They were transferred to the Life-boat and very shortly afterwards the doomed vessel hove her bow up in the air and foundered.

The Life-boat at once returned to Ilfracombe, and landed the crew, thirty-three in number.

Gorleston, Suffolk. — On the 14th March, during smooth but hazy weather, signals of distress were heard from a vessel. The No. 1 Life-boat Mark Lane was launched and was tracked by the crew to the end of the North Pier where she was picked up by a tug and towed out to the North Holm Sands, whence the signals proceeded. She there found a large tank oil steamer—the San Bicardo, of London—belonging to the Eagle Oil Transport Company. The cargo of oil was being pumped overboard, and as it was not necessary at that time to take the crew off the vessel the Life-boat stood by until high water next day. Efforts to refloat the vessel were not successful, but as no further assistance was required, the boat returned to her station.

Ramsey, Iile of Man.—On the morning of the 18th March, when it was blowing hard from the N.N.E. with snow showers, signals of distress were observed on the ketch New Leader, of Ramsey, which was riding in the South Bay about 100 yards from the Queen's Pier. She had come into the bay during the night but her anchors dragged until she got into a dangerous position. Before the Life-boat Mary Isabella could reach her the vessel's hawser carried away and it was with some difficulty that the Life-boat succeeded in saving her crew of four men. When they were rescued the vessel was driving along rapidly and she eventually went ashore in a very heavy sea and sank.

Caister, Norfolk—The s.s. Buccaneer, of West Hartlepool, carrying a crew of twenty-one hands, stranded on the North Scroby Sands on the 18th March.

The No. 1 Life-boat Covent Garden proceeded to her assistance, and when she reached her the captain employed the crew to try and get the vessel off, Coxswain John Haylett being placed in charge. Later in the morning tugs arrived upon the scene and were engaged to tow the vessel. Their efforts, however, proved unsuccessful, and the Life-boat crew commenced to jettison the cargo, about ten tons of fire-bricks being thrown overboard. At flood tide three tugs were engaged, and about 8 P.M. on the 18th the steamer floated and was taken by the Coxswain, under her own steam, into Yarmouth Roads. At about 4 A.M. the next morning a N.E.

gale sprang up, and, as the vessel was leaking badly, the Life-boat stood by her until 11 A.M. on the 20th, when a pilot boarded her and took her into Yarmouth Harbour. The Life-boat then returned to her station where she arrived at 2.30 P.M.

Porthdinllaen, South Carnarvonshire.— The Life-boat Barbara Fleming was launched at 10 A.M. on the 18th March during a whole northerly gale and very rough sea, in answer to distress signals in Porthdinllaen Bay. The vessel was the ketch James, of Carnarvon, bound from Abersoch to Porthdinorwic with a cargo of sand. The Life-boat saved the crew of three hands, and the ketch afterwards drove ashore on a sandy beach, where the heavy sea made a clean breach over her.

Donaghadee, Co. Down;—On the 18th March, during a strong N. gale with snow showers, the Motor Life-boat William and Laura was called out to the assistance of the steamer Upas, of Newry. When the vessel was five miles south of the Skullmartin Lightship her cargo shifted, and she began to sink. As she was sinking a steamer, named the Ailsa Craig, belonging to Belfast, came into sight and proceeded to her assistance. A small boat belonging to the Ailsa Craig was manned by Mr. Edward Torrens, the chief officer, and two sailors, and, in spite of the heavy sea running, they proceeded to the assistance of the distressed vessel.

By this time the Upas was in a very serious state, and all the boat could do was to save two of the crew, who were washed overboard as the vessel sank.

Unfortunately, owing to the long distance the Life-boat had to travel, she was too late to do anything for the remainder of the crew of the Upas, but her arrival was very timely for the boat of the Ailsa Craig, which was in very great danger, and the Life-boat saved the two men, who had been picked up, and their would-be rescuers. She also picked up the body of one of the men who was drowned in the ill-fated steamer, and then returned ashore. In this case such conspicuous bravery was displayed by the men who manned the boat of the Ailsa Craig, that the Committee of Management presented an aneroid barometer, bearing a suitable inscription, to the chief officer, and made a monetary reward to the two members of the crew.

Cardigan, Cardiganshire. — At about 9 A.M. on the 18th March, Coxswain Bowen, who was on duty near Cardigan Bay, observed a signal of distress from the ketch Clara, of Milford Haven, which appeared to be in imminent danger of being driven ashore. He at once took steps to summon the crew of the Life-boat Elizabeth Austin, and the boat was launched in a very heavy sea. A strong N.N.W. gale prevailed at the time, and the weather was very cold, with snow showers.

The Life-boat proceeded very promptly to the Clara, and was just in time to save the crew of two men, who were in great peril, as the ship was dragging her anchors, and was being buffeted by wind and sea. After the crew had been rescued, the vessel became a total wreck.

Robin Hood's Bay, Yorkshire At 12.45 P.M. on the 18th March two of the fishing-cobles belonging to Robin Hood's Bay, named the Emily and Eva and The Three Brothers, which had gone off earlier in the morning to fish, were in danger. Whilst fishing the wind and sea increased, and the return of the boats was accompanied by considerable risk. The Life-boat Mary Ann Lockwood was launched, and escorted the cobles to a safe landing, and then returned to her station. When making for land a heavy sea was running inshore, which rendered it very dangerous for the boat and crew.

Whitby, Yorkshire.—On the morning of the 18th March the local fishing fleet were out fishing, and at about noon the sea began to grow very rapidly and the weather looked very threatening. At a little after one o'clock, as the sea was breaking heavily across the bar, and twelve of the cobles had not returned, the Life-boat was taken down to the entrance to the harbour. By half-past two she had escorted nine of the cobles and a motor fishing-boat into safety, but there were still three cobles to be accounted for.

By this time it was snowing heavily and blowing a whole gale, and the Life-boat remained outside the harbour until 5 P.M. In the meanwhile two more cobles succeeded in getting into safety, but the remaining coble had not returned. Nothing could be seen of her from the land, as it was snowing all the time, and such a sea was never known to have risen in so short a time. As there was no news of the missing coble, the Life-boat returned ashore, and next morning a report was received that parts of the boat had been washed up about six miles to the north. It was hoped that the crew might have been picked up by a passing steamer, but it is feared that the men lost their lives.

Scarborough, Yorkshire—On the 18th March the east wind increased, bringing with it a rough sea, which during the afternoon became dangerous for the cobles when returning to harbour.

The Life-boat Queensbury was launched at 3.10 P.M. and stood by the cobles until they succeeeded in getting into safety. It was snowing very hard at the time.

Arklow.Wicklow—On the 18th March, during a strong N.E. gale and a very heavy sea, the new Motor Life-boat John Taylor Cardwell was launched to the assistance of the schooner Christiana Davies, of Barrow. The vessel, whilst bound to Dublin with a cargo of malt, came to anchor in Arklow Bay about five miles from the harbour. In the strong gale she commenced to drag her anchors, and displayed signals of distress. When the Life-boat reached the vessel the crew of three hands were rescued and were conveyed in safety ashore. During this service a very heavy sea was running, and the behaviour of the Life-boat gave the liveliest satisfaction, although a considerable quantity of water was shipped when crossing the Bar.

Abersoch, Carnarvonshire. — On the 18th March, during a whole N.E. gale, with snow showers, signals of distress were observed from three schooners at anchor in St. Tudwall's Roads. The crew of the Life-boat Oldham were at once summoned and the Life-boat launched. She first proceeded to the schooner Dependence, of Littlehampton, which was bound from Pentowan to Garston, and took off her crew of four hands. She then went on to the schooner Glanfeadon, of St. Ives, and her crew of five hands were also taken into the boat. This vessel was bound from Penzance to Runcorn. The Lifeboat then proceeded to the third vessel, the Douduard, of Padstow, bound from Looe to Ellesmere, and took off her crew of five hands. The boat then returned ashore and landed the men, being left at moorings until next morning when, the weather having moderated, she was rehoused. At the time of the service the sea was rough.

Grimsby, Lincolnshire At 1.30 A.M.

on the 19th March, during a whole N.N.E. gale and very heavy sea, signals of distress were seen from five Pile Drivers which were moored in the River Humber. The Life-boat Charles Burton was launched and taken in tow by the tug Southern Cross, but after proceeding some distance the tug grounded and the tow rope parted.

Repeated efforts were made to effect communication again with the tug, but without result. The boat was then drifting on to a lee shore, and owing to the boisterous weather and heavy sea it was impossible for her to beat to windward; in addition to this it was considered dangerous to attempt to approach the vessels in the darkness owing to their heavy moorings and the piles in the vicinity; moreover it was not considered advisable to leave the neighbourhood of the tug, which was in a dangerous position. The anchor was accordingly let go and the boat remained at anchor until dawn. At daylight there was no sign of the tug, she having got clear during the night, so the boat proceeded to the Pile Drivers and found that the crew of one of them had been taken off by another tug previous to the arrival of the Life-boat.

She then stood by the remaining four vessels, and accompanied them whilst being towed into dock. During this service the weatfoer was exceedingly trying, as a blizzard with heavy snow prevailed. Very valuable assistance was rendered both by the Royal Dock Master, the Fish Dock Master, and others in getting the Life-boat out of harbour, and special letters of thanks were sent by the Committee of Management expressing appreciation for the help given.

Padstow, Cornwall—At about 6 A.M.

on the 19th March, during a moderate N.E. gale, a telephone message was received reporting that a dismasted schooner was in distress off Trevose Head. The No. 2 Life-boat Edmund Harvey, in tow of the tug Helen Peele, proceeded to the scene of the disaster without loss of time. They reached the vessel at about 8.30 A.M. She proved to be the schooner Frances, of Lancaster, bound from Plymouth to Swansea with a cargo of pitch, and she was then in a waterlogged condition. The crew of five hands were taken off by the Lifeboat and conveyed ashore. During the day the wind and sea died down and the derelict was picked up by a steam trawler and towed into harbour in the evening.

Bembridge,Isle of Wight.—At 7.30 A.M.

on the 19th March, during a N.E. gale, the Coastguard reported that a schooner was flying signals of distress. The Life-boat Queen Victoria was launched, but considerable difficulty was experienced, and she was beaten back broadside on to the rocks. When the tide flowed the boat was got clear, the haul-off warp being found most useful.

In the meanwhile, owing to their efforts to get the boat clear, one of the helpers became exhausted and fell, but he was successfully rescued by his father, assisted by Mr. William Couldrey, the Honorary Secretary. Two of the Lifeboatmen also became exhausted through the seas repeatedly breaking over the boat and they had to be landed. When the Life-boat reached the vessel the captain engaged the Life-boatmen to try and save her, and in this they were eventually successful, being helped by a tug which had also come to the vessel's assistance. The Committee of Management, in recognition of the meritorious conduct of the Honorary Secretary and the endangered helper's father, awarded an Aneroid Barometer to the former and made a monetary reward to the latter. The vessel was the schooner Theodora, of Newcastle, and carried a crew of seven hands.

Ramsgate,Kent.—On the 19th March the schooner Gravesend, of London, whilst bound from Dunkirk to London with a cargo of coal, got into difficulties close to the Goodwin Sands, owing to her anchors not holding. In response to her signals of distress the Life-boat Charles and Susanna Stephens proceeded to her assistance. They found the schooner driving before the gale dragging her anchors, and the seas washing right over her. No one was on board and the vessel's boat was gone. With very great difficulty the Life-boatmen managed to board the vessel, on which the signal of distress was still flying, and eventually succeeded in making a tow-rope fast between the schooner and the tug which had towed the Life-boat out. The vessel's anchor was then slipped, and sho was towed into Ramsgate in safety. It was reported that a passing steamer had rescued the crew before the arrival of the Life-boat. A strong N.N.E. gale was blowing at the time with a very heavy sea.

Redcar, Yorkshire. — The Life-boat Fifi and Charles was launched during a moderate N.W. breeze and heavy ground swell on the 20th March, in answer to signals of distress from the s.s. Spiral, of Christiania. The vessel had stranded on the rocks whilst bound from Sunderland to Boulogne with a cargo of coal. When the Life-boat reached the vessel the captain asked Coxswain Upton to stand by and to assist in refloating the vessel. The Coxswain consented to do this, and the Life-boat remained with the steamer until 8.30 next morning; she then returned ashore and, later, was again launched. For several days attempts were made to get the vessel clear, but all efforts proved unsuccessful. During the night of the 25th March, while the salvage operations were proceeding, a heavy sea got up, and the Life-boat was obliged to land eighteen of the men who had been at work on the steamer.

Arrangements were then made with the captain and crew of the schooner to signal if further assistance was required.

After the Redcar boat had returned ashore it was found that her rudder had been damaged and that she could not return to the vessel, and as the crew still on board desired to be landed a message was sent to Teesmouth. The crew of that boat were assembled without loss of time, and she proceeded to the vessel. When she arrived she found twenty-two persona on board, consisting of twenty-one of the crew and the Company's Agent. The boat then took the men to Middlesborough, where they were landed. This boat is fitted with a motor which ran without a hitch.

Eastbourne, Sussex—Thes.s. Cairntorr, of Newcastle, was torpedoed when about eight miles south of Beachy Head, on the 21st March. The Coastguard reported that the vessel was apparently in distress, and the No. 2 Life-boat James Stevens No. 6 was dispatched with all haste to the doomed vessel, the Motor Boat Estella taking her in tow. When the Life-boat reached the scene of the disaster she found a small torpedo-boat standing by and the crew of the steamer in the ship's boats.

Eight men were at once transferred to the Life-boat and ten others were placed on board the Motor Boat, and, as nothing further could be done, the boats returned ashore and landed the shipwrecked men.

Wicklow, Co. Wicklow.—At 9 A.M. on the 25th March, a three-masted barque was observed on the Codling Bank, and the Motor Life-boat Robert TheopMlus Garden was dispatched to her assistance.

Owing to the fact that the Life-boat had to proceed in the teeth of a gale and against a foul tide, she did not reach the vessel until 11.30 A.M. By this time the vessel, which proved to be the Vincennes, of Havre, had got off the bank and was at anchor, but she was so close to the sands that, had the wind changed, she would in all probability have grounded again. The captain reported that the tug which had had the barque in tow had cast off about six o'clock that morning, and, as the weather was thick, he was in ignorance as to his position. Coxswain Byrne advised the captain to get under way at once, and offered to pilot him with the Life-boat clear of the sands. The captain gratefully accepted this offer and, with the assistance given, succeeded in making a good olfmg. When the Life-boat and ship parted company, the crew of the latter loudly cheered the Life-boatmen, the captain waving the tricolour.

North Deal, Kent.—The Second Coxswain observed a vessel ashore on the S.E. part of the Goodwin Sands, shortly after 10 A.M. on the 25th March. The crew of the Life-boat Charles Dibdin were assembled and the Life-boat was launched. She found one of H.M.

Patrol Boats, No. 688, on the sands and stood by her until she succeeded in getting clear about one hour before high water. At the time of the service a N.E. by N. gale was blowing with a rough sea.

Cromer, Norfolk The s.s. Ida, of Haugesand, on the 27th March, stranded on the Haisborough Sands, whilst bound from Newcastle to Rouen with a cargo of coal. A message was received from the Haisborough Light-vessel, reporting the casualty at about 6.15 A.M., and the Life-boat Louisa Heartwell was promptly dispatched. When she reached the steamer the services of the crew were engaged to try and get the vessel off. A tug arrived later, and when she had got .into a suitable position, a hawser was conveyed to her by the Life-boat, and she started towing. Another tug then arrived and made fast to the first one. Whilst the tugs were towing the vessel she was bumping heavily, and knocked her rudder and propeller away. At about 1.30 P.M. she floated and was towed clear of the sands, and anchored about 8 P.M. The Life-boat then stood by her all night and the tugs commenced their work again at 7 A.M. next morning.

Later in the day it was found necessary to anchor the vessel again, but she was eventually assisted in safety into Yarmouth Harbour on the 29th March, and the Life-boat was towed back to her station.

Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex. — Shortly before noon on the 30th March, the Coastguard reported that a message had been received from the Gunfleet Lighthouse, stating that a steamer was ashore on the Sunk Sands. A moderate N.E. breeze was blowing at the time, and the sea was moderately rough.

The crew of the Life-boat James Stevens No. 14 were assembled and the boat proceeded to the stranded vessel.

When she reached her, the Coxswain, W. Hammond, boarded the vessel and advised the captain to run out a large anchor. This was done by the Lifeboat, and after some time the vessel was successfully refloated with the assistance of her own steam. As the vessel was found to be making no water the Life-boat returned to her station, where she arrived at 2.30 A.M. The vessel was the s.s. Glassalt, of Aberdeen, bound from London to Newcastle, with a cargo of cement.

Hasting*, Sussex—Shortly after 6 A.M.

on the 4th April, it was reported that a vessel was on the rocks east of Fairlight Coastguard Station, and that she was showing flares for assistance. The crew of the Life-boat Charles Arkcoll was assembled, and the boat proceeded in the direction of the distress signals.

On reaching the vessel it was found that she had been abandoned by her crew, consisting of the master, an-old man, and a boy. The Life-boat Coxswain, J. W. Plummer, and his crew patched up the vessel, which was holed, and repaired her rudder, which was damaged. When the tide flowed the Life-boatmen succeeded in refloating the vessel and taking her into Eye Harbour. The vessel was the ketch Reward, of Ramsgate ; she was bound for Hastings at the time of the casualty..