IT was mentioned in last year's Report that four life-boats, on the most recent construction, were building, and were about to be stationed on the coast of Northumberland; these boats, by the courtesy of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, were conveyed to their stations in H.M.S. Lightning in September last, and taken charge of by the respective Local Committees at Cullercoats, Newbiggin, Hauxley, and Boulmer. In the stormy weather, which occurred shortly after, an opportunity was afforded of trying them; which was taken advantage of by the Inspector of Life-boats, who fully tested their merits as sea-boats; they have since been out on several occasions, and have been instrumental in saving life and property. These four stations having been completed with boats, boat-houses, carriages, life-belts, buoys, and every requisite fitting, the whole has been most liber- ally presented to the Shipwreck Insti- tution by His Grace the Duke of Northumberland, our President, on the understanding that everything shall be maintained in efficient work- ing order, and the crews be regularly trained and exercised. Acting in the name and on behalf of the subscribers to the Institution, the Committee have thankfully accepted this munificent gift, and they pledge themselves, in conjunction with the respective Local Committees, to fulfil to the utmost the conditions on which this charge has been intrusted to their care.

A life-boat similar to the above, designed by Mr. Peake, has been stationed at North Sunderland, at the expense of the trustees of the late Lord Crewe; and a 31-feet boat at Appledore, Devon. The Worthing boat, mentioned last year, has been completed and placed on her station; a 27-feet boat for Budehaven is on her way to that port; similar boats are ready for Barmouth and Cemlyn, and are waiting for a conveyance to their destination. Boats also for Aldboro', Lyme Regis, Sennen, and Douglas, Isle of Man, are in a state of forwardness at Messrs. Forrestt's, at Limehouse, boat-builders to the Insti- tution. The life-boats at Filey and Bridlington, in Yorkshire, have been put into thorough repair, and plans have been furnished to Hartlepool and the Tees Bay Society. An application from the Prussian Government has also recently been received for a life- boat on Mr. Peake's design, to be stationed at Swinemiinde, in the Baltic.

The Committee consider it due to the public spirit of the Messrs. Richard- son, of Aber Hirnant, Bala, North Wales, to notice their iron tubular life-raft, on which they successfully accomplished a voyage from Liverpool round the Land's End to London.

The experiment is a very interesting one, and should it be found that the iron, of which the tubes are formed, can be preserved from rapid decay, it seems probable that such a life-raft might prove useful, particularly on a very flat beach.

The sad accidents to the Lytham and Rhyl life-boats are too recent not to be well known to all who take an interest in these subjects; the Com- mittee, therefore, only advert to them to assure the subscribers to the Insti- tution and the public, that no similar fittings, nor the use of water ballast, will be permitted in any life-boat in connexion with this Institution, nor, except in special cases, will the use of sails be sanctioned..