THE life-boat journal on the 1st of January, 1858, in describing a wreck which occurred at Brighton on the 8th of October, 1857, reported: "There were at that time three life-boats at Brighton; one, we believe, belonging to the town authorities; a second had formerly been the property of the Brighton Humane Society, but about three years since had been condemned as unserviceable; she was, however, at that time bought by a well-known, spirited, and justly popular boatman of Brighton, named John Wright, who determined that her days of usefulness should not yet be numbered, gave her a new keel, with a thorough general repair and rent, and resolved to maintain her as a second life-boat at his own expense—an honourable resolution, and one which was now about to meet with its just reward. A third, we believe, is the property of the Brighton Humane Society.

" Before the ill-fated brig had taken the ground, the two first-named lifeboats had put off to attempt to reach her. Wright's boat, being the fastest sailer, at first made the most progress, but not fetching sufficiently to windward, her crew had to row her up, when she was presently struck by a heavy sea which filled the boat and carried away five of her oars. Thus disabled she was compelled to return to the shore.

" The town life-boat then succeeded in getting alongside, and in taking on board five out of eight of the brig's crew, who with much difficulty and considerable risk, she having filled with the sea, were landed in safety.

Two more attempts were now made by Wright to go off for the remainder of the crew, but without success.

The town boat also made a second attempt, but was compelled to put back by the violence of the sea.

"Four of Wright's crew had now deserted him, and he was for a short time in despair, no other volunteers coming forward, when the officer in command of the Hove station of the Coastguard, Lieutenant Mansell, R. N., came to the spot, and at once, with four of his men, volunteered to make up the deficiency. Wright gladly availed himself of the services of the men, but wishing to go off in command of his own boat, declined those of the Lieutenant; and thus replenished, again made his fourth attempt —this time happily with success— and succeeded in bringing the master and two remaining hands of his crew in safety to the land, amidst the cheers and hearty greetings of the crowds assembled to receive them." The journal concluded its account by declaring: "We are happy in being enabled to add, that at a public meeting held at Brighton shortly after the above occurrence, it was resolved to immediately take steps to provide the most efficient life-boat protection; which has resulted in the formation at Brighton of a Branch of the National Lifeboat Institution, which Society is now having a first-class life-boat constructed for the locality, the inhabitants providing a house for the reception of the boat, and undertaking to subscribe annually a sufficient amount for its permanent support.".