The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-22 00:00:00

LIFEBOA7 SER VICES.

THURSO, N. 8., DEC. 19.
Last night we were visited with a very heavy gale of
wind from W.N.W, to N.W., which increased to a violent
storm. Great fears were entertained for the safety of the
shipping in Scrabster Roads, and the coxswain and crew of
the Thurso lifeboat belonging to the Nationat Lifeboat In-
stitution were on the lookout all the night, in case the
services of the boat might be required. So dreadful was
the storm that the steamer " Prince Consort" broke adrift
in the harbour, and had to steam in the bay the whole
night and day. About 1 o'clock this afternoon, signals of
distress were hoisted from a schooner in the bay. The ut•.
most despatch was then used in launching the lifeboat and
proceeding to the vessel. The lifeboat succeeded in reach-
ing the schooner, and took off in safety the crew of three
men, and brought them to shore. The vessel proved to be
the schooner Sisters, of Wick, laden with stone.
he cost of this valuable lifeboat, in conjunction with
two others stationed respectively at Whitby and St. An-
drews, was presented to the National Lifeboat Institution
by Mr. A. W. Jaffrey, Esq., of St. Mildred's-court.
GROOM SPORT, COUNTY DOWN, DEC. 20.

The Rev. A. H. 51‘Causland writes—" A barque was seen
yesterday (Dec. 19), on the Antrim side of Belfast Lough,
and was observed afterwards to have parted one anchor and
and dragged 8 or 9 miles to leeward, only escaping the
Briggs, and was nearing the Copeland Island. The union
jack was flying at the foretop-gallant-mast head, and five
flags from the mizen gaff to deck of the vessel. The life-
boat, of the National Lifeboat Institution at this place was
immediately manned and succeeded in nearing the barque,
and on a second attempt got her second coxswain slung on
board through the sea. He was heard to say afterwards
that he had taken charge of the vessel and would slip and
run south, in order to save the barque. The lifeboat be-
haved splendidly, and was ably handled by her crew.

ST, IVES, DEc. 20.
The lifeboat of the National Lifeboat Institution went off
from Portland Beach yesterday, during a strong gale from
N.W., and a sea so heavy that she would not have been
trusted in such a position but for the wishes of the crow,
and more particularly of the coxswain, no as to prove to the
public that the boat would do her duty under the most ad-
verse circumstances. She shipped some heavy seas, and at
one time from ashore, where there were many anxious
gazers, she was seen to drift about her length astern. She
encountered three tremendous billows, which came rolling
on one close after the other, and which it appeared impos-
sible for any boat to keep ahead against, but no accident oc•
curred, she went doggedly onward, and finally dropped
around the island into the harbour, I cannot express to
you the admiration of the spectators of the boat, and her
brave crew. Christmas is near, and the latter poor men
have been very appropriately rewatded by a subscription on
the part of the committee and the public.

PORTHCAWL, DEC. 20.

Last night (writes Captain Duchan, R.N.), it blew a
strong gale from the N.W., with rain. Early this morn-
ing still blowing heard, a vessel was discerned at anchor
to the eastward of the Scarweather Sands, with mainmast
gone and signal of distress flying. With all haste the
Porthcawl lifeboat, belonging to the National Lifeboat In-
stitution, was launched through a heavy surf and de-
spatched to the rescue, and nobly did she and her crew
behave, returning in the course of two hours with the
whole crew, consisting of captain and eight men, with one
pussenger. The vessel was the brigantine Champion,
timber laden, bound from Micrniehi, in North America, for
Liverpool: The vessel t-truck on the Scarweather about
midnight, and has received great damage' and her bottom
being nearly out. And here -I
sincerely wish that I could
conclude, but the most melancholy part of my communica-
tion has yet to be made, viz., that at the same time that
the Champion struck, a brigantine likewise struck close to
her, and was almost immediately swallowed up on those
fatal sands with all her crew. She teas from n
-oiellec, and
was believed to be grain laden.
The cost of the Porthcawl lifeboat was presented to the
National Institution by a lady (M. A, c. S.)
The Ramsgate and Shields lifa
some
have also done
noble services during this very gale, Which
seems to have
United Kingdom.
at on© time blown on nearly every part of the coasts of the

It is expected that a very pacific declaration or
manifesto will shortly appear in the Itlonitacr,—Court
Jeffrll44