United States.

Tins service is, as our readers are aware, a State service, and is the only one entirely managed, administered and sup- ported by the State, except the Danish Life-boat Service. In January, 191#f an important Act was passed which provides that the Coastguard "shall operate under the Treasury Department in time of peace, and operate as part of the Navy in time of war, or when the President shall so direct." Accordingly, on the declaration of war by the United States on the 6th April, 1917, the Coast- guard passed from the Treasury to the Navy Department. Hence the Report for 1917 does not include those activities of the Coastguard connected with the naval operations subsequent to that date.

Owing to the complicated nature of the work carried out by the United States Life-saving Service, which has of course been accentuated by its absorption into the larger sphere of naval operations, it is very difficult to trace precisely the number and the nature of the life-saving operations proper. But it is stated that 2,153 lives were saved "or persons ; rescued from peril," and that vessels were assisted and lives saved in 1,584 instances. It is, however, impossible to ascertain how many "persons rescued ; from peril" were so rescued from vessels • shipwrecked on the high seas which were assisted by the cruising vessels of the United States Coastguard, and how many were rescued from danger which was unconnected with shipwreck, such as being caught by the tide, stranded and in danger of death from starvation, or merely persons who were in a position of danger on board a vessel which was towed or assisted into safety by the efforts of the Coastguard service.

The figures with regard to the value of the property saved run into millions of dollars, while the nett expenditure amounts to something over £1,260,000.

But, in view of the complicated nature of the service and of the costly vessels employed it is quite impossible to form : any estimate of the comparative cost of the United States Life-boat Service proper. We note that the service maintains 22 cruising cutters, 26 harbour cutters and 270 stations, most of which are provided with the rocket apparatus.

We reproduce an illustration of a United States Life-boat being launched from a carriage.

Portugal.

INSTITUTO DE SOCORROS A NAUFEAGOS.

The report for 1914 and 1915, which has been delayed by circumstances over which the Society had no control, shows that 1,240 lives were saved by Life- boats arid other means in the two years, i and 182 vessels and boats were assisted. ' The Life-boats were launched 75 times, and the rocket apparatus was in use 33 times. The Society possesses 42 Life- boats, and the total number of lives saved since its foundation is 7,788; while the total number of vessels assisted is 1,275. The Society receives a Government subsidy of 4,000 inilreis.

The Report expresses regret at the diminution in the number of subscribers, and makes an earnest appeal for a wider measure of support.

Norway.

NOESK SELSKAB TIL SKIBBEUDNES REDNING.

The Society was founded in 1893, and owns 25 Life-boats. ; In 1917 6 boats were saved, with ; 22 lives, and 1 vessel with 4 lives; while 506 boats and 35 vessels were ! " assisted." The total number of lives saved since the foundation of the Society is 2,268; while 594 boats and 44 ships have been saved. The Society receives a State subsidy of 35,000 kroner.

Netherlands.

ZUID - HOLLANDSCHE MAATSCHAPPIJ TOT REDDING VAN SCHIPBREDKELINGEN.

The report for 1917 shows that the Society had 12 stations, with 2 steam life-boats, 2 motor life-boats, 5 life-boats, and 2 self-righting life-boats; also 7 ' line-throwing mortars and rocket appar- atus. There were three launches in 1917, but no service was rendered. One of the cases was that of a British torpedo-boat which had been sunk by a submarine. The Report states that the interference with shipping has had a very serious effect on the finances of the Society, which again shows a loss as compared with the previous year. The j loss of contributions from shipping is put at 30 per cent. This is a point on which we have good reason to sym- pathize with our sister Society, as the loss of British shipping and the suspen- sion of travelling and mail steamers caused a serious diminution in our revenue from these sources.

Denmark.

BERETNING OM DET DANSKE REDNINGS- VAESENS VLKKSOMHED.

This service is, like that of the United States, entirely managed and adminis- tered by the State. In the year 1916- 1917, 69 lives were saved by the Life- boats on eleven occasions, and 24 by the rocket apparatus on five occasions.

The total number of lives saved by the Life-boats since 1852 is 5,994, while the rocket apparatus has been the means of saving 3,513, being a total of 9,590.

The State maintains 49 life-boats, in- cluding 1 motor-boat, which has been built according to the plans and speci- fications provided by the .Royal National Life-Boat Institution.

Sweden.

" SALLSKAPET FOE RADDNING AF SKEPPSBRUTNE." The Society was established in 1906 and possesses 11 life-boats, including 4 motor life-boats. There are also 17 stations belonging to the State. No lives were saved in 1917. One hundred lives and 8 vessels have been saved since 1906. We publish a picture of the Patrol Life-boat which is constantly cruising in Swedish waters, and which has saved 3 boats and 7 lives.

Spain.

BOLETIN DK LA SOCIEDAD ESPAXOLA DE SALVAMENTO DE NAUGRAGOS.

Founded in 1880.

The Report for the quarter ending June, 1918, shows that the total number of lives saved since 1880 by the material provided by the Society is now 1,463, while rewards have been given for the saving of 10,629 lives which have been saved by other means in the same period.

The number of vessels assisted is 104.

The quarterly Report refers to the saving of the crews of 3 vessels, including the British steamer Isle of Jura, which was torpedoed by a German submarine in April, 1917. The Society possesses 104 Life-boats.