The Express.
London, England, 1861-12-14 00:00:00

GALLANT LIFEBOAT SERVICES.

FISFIGUARD, DEC. 12.
During a terrific gale from the S.S.W. with
heavy rain, this diorama, the coxswain of the lifeboat be.
longing to the National Lifeboat Institution observed a
flag of disfavor flying from a smack at anchor in Fisbguard
Bay. In less than half an hour afterwards the lifeboat
was aloegaide the vessel, which proved to be the Ellen Owens,
of Cardigan. The vowel was &stain; her anchors, awl
rapidly driving on the rocks, where, in the absence of
the lifeboat, every soul on board must have perished. Under
these circumstances the master and his crew of two men de.
termined w abandon the vessel. The lifeboat, therefore,
safely landod them. The crew of the lifeboat reported that
she behaved admirably on the occasion. Fortunately the
gale subsequently moderated, awl thu vessel having held to
her anchors, her crew were afterwards put on board.

THORPE, SUFFOLK, DEC. '2.
During a heavy south-westerly gale, thick with rain,
early this morning, the brig Content, of Sunderland, was
°decreed with a Bag of distress flying, to be driving on shorn
opposite the Sluice, Sizewell, Suffolk. The National In-
stitution lifeboat, tationed at Thorpe, proceeded Lame.
diately to the rescue of the vessel's crew of five wen,
whom she succeeded in taking off end landing in
safety. A boat belonging to a smack that was cruising
about had previously reached the Wig. The boat's crew,
however, became alarmed, and after the lifeboat had taken
off the vessel's crew, they entreated the coxswain not to
leave them until they had got their bout through the broken
water.

The total number of lives saved from a watery grave
by the lifeboats of the NiMional Lifeboat Institution during
the present year alone amounts to 2/Ct.

At a meeting of the directors of the Peninsular
and Oriental Steam Company, held at their offices, in
Leadenhall-street, yesterday, it was determined that elide
officers in their employment should be called upon to join
the Royal Naval Reserve ; and it is expected that other
companies, especialy those who are in the enjoyment
government subsidy, will immediately follow the examplo
thus set them.

Port P.oyal, where a great battle has been fought
between the Federal' and Confederates, wee selected m s
settlement by a body of French Protestants, headed bye
Frenchman, named Ribault, 300 years ago. It was WSJ
after the convent of that name, immortalised by Paoli,
the illustrious French writer. ltibault built a fort, which
be called Art Carolina, after Charles IX., and thus the
state of South Carolina obtained its name.
THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.—AII the American
ships of war, except one sealing vessel, have been withdrsuu
from the coast of Africa, in consequence of which cargo
of elan* are shipped for Cuba wholesale. The Britsh
cruisers are not permitted to capture vessels, although full
of negross, so long as the American dog is dying oa ;
and the result is a most fiouriabiug state of the traffic by
American ships.
NARROW ESCAPE OF A HULL STEAMER IN TEL
NORTH SEA.—The screw steamer Petro Beys, Captain Cole,
belonging to Messrs. Z. C. Pearson and Co., of this
port, hal a very narrow escape from foundering doting
a frightful storm while on her passage from KODii*
berg to Hull. She left the former port on Saturday
week, and encountered severe weather nerdy all the
voyage, but when crossing the North Sea the weather
was really fearful. The tires were slacked out on or
seven times, and all hands were kept at the pump" cool.
nually fur forty-eight hours, and then were scarcely enab!el
to keep the vessel above water. Their fate seemed as
inevitable that preparations were made for leaving the reed
so soon as apprehensions might be felt of her suddevlY
foundering. Fortunately when about sixty mild
north of Flamborough Road, the smack Ellen,
Scarborough, was sighted, hailed, and hove
and with the assistance of the crew of that ve.a
the wearied exertions of the crew were enenete,l, 3t.1
the renewed applications of the pumps soeu unibled tt,F
to replenish the tires, and the gale having meaustt4
somewhat abated, she was able to proceed on her vo,al
home. She arrived in port on Monday, having or
neared no further mishap. Great praise is due to the or
and crew of the steamer for their untiring exertso
during the storm, and also to the crew of the smack IC
their very valuable assistance.—Hull Packet.
ANOTHER BALTIC STEAMER LOST.—A tolegra.l
Ina been received stating that the screw steamer Owls,
tons, has been loot while on a voyage from t 'route* 0
Loudon. If this is correct, it will be the 17th Baltic stew..
lost "Moe October last year. The vessel belongs to H. ".
Robinson, Faq.. ahipoweer, 31ark.larie, Loudon, and on beprevious voyage to the Baltic sho took • cargo from
Hum
Mews. Bailey and Leetham are the agents of the owl-
at this place. We have since learned that the Coda vac
wrecked oa the island of Amholt, in the Cattsgt
Owing to the bad weather which prevails at this seam*
the year in the Cattegat, there is little hope that the re.:
will be saved. She kid on board about 750 casks of tall.
and a large stock of wool in boles. The ship and esrP'wel
largely insured both at Lloyd's and at the various insurael
offices. —Hell Packet.