The Sun.
London, England, 1850-05-25 00:00:00

THE CARDIGAN LIFE BOAT.

During the late heavy gales and storms which
prevailed in Cardigan Bay and on this coast, some
experiments were made by a crew selected for the
purpose, in order to test the power and safety of the
new patent life boat. At a given signal the gallant
little craft, with her hardy crew, scudded merrily
into the midst of the foaming and tempestuous
waters, the wind at the time blowing a perfect hurri-
cane. The boat was soon in deep water, and there
every effort was made to waterlog her. She was
first placed broadside to the heavy sea, but without
the slightest effect being made upon her; she was
then turned broadside to the wind, which blew heavy
at the time, with the same satisfactory result. The
crew then stood up on one side of the boat, but again
she fully realised all expectations ; her crew then sud-
denly threw themselves to the opposite side, but again
without injury to the boat, or in any way producing
a result calculated to lessen confidence. She was also
filled to the gunwale with water, but this did not in
any great degree affect her buoyancy ' • and the entire
result of the experimental trip sufficiently proved
that, should the hour of peril call forth her dauntless
crew to assist their fellow-seamen, they can fearlessly
trust themselves to the wild wind and waters, with
the certainty of a sure rescue to the helpless, and a
safe return to themselves. In the new life-boat the
arrangements adopted to insure buoyancy are, at the
same time, conducive to the strength and stability of
the boat. The air vessels form a trunk round the inside
of the boat, rising as high as the gunwale, but only ex-
tending down on each side as far as the bilge, by which
means the centre of buoyancy is kept so high that it
is impossible to swamp or capsize the boat ; the upper
part of the air trunk is rounded off inside to permit
the boat to be emptied of water as she rolls, and to
facilitate the use of the oars ; and the air trunk is
divided by partitions into several water-tight com-
partments, so that no great injury could result from
one or more being stove. The gallant crew were
hailed with loud cheers by the spectators on their re-
turn. It cannot be too generally known that a life-
boat of great power is now established at Cardigan,
which has hitherto ben considered as little better than
a yawning sepulchre to the storm-beaten mariners,—
Carmarthen Journal.

lIALF-YEARLY PUBLIC EXAM-

NATIONS AT SANDHURST.
The usual half-yearly public examination of the offi-
cers and gentlemen cadets studying at the Royal Mili-
tary College took place on Monday, Tuesday, and
Wednesday. the 20th, 21st, and 22d inst., before a
acol-
legiate board, at which were present Field-Marshal
hisßl Highness the Duke of Cambridge,
Lieutenant-General Sir Howard Douglas, Bart.,
G. C. B. and G. C. M. G.; Lieutenant-General Sir
G. Scoff'', K.C.8., the Governor • Major-Ge-
neral Thomas W. Taylor, C. 8., the Lieutenant-Go-
vernor; and Lieutenant-Colonel George W. Prosser, the
Major and Superintendent of Studies. At the close of
u Hon. A. nE:oT HCsarpdti. nW.
ge,
the examinations the following officers were presented
wAi.t hs t
rt
ahtet 0
n, usual6t h certificatesi,,oo t;
Capt.of
theq
Coldstream Guards; Capt. R. Inglis, 2d Foot; Lieut.
C. G. Butler, 86th Foot; Lieut. R. A. Rundle, 40th Foot.
The superior qualifications of Lieut. Butler in military
surveying, fortification, French, and German, of Captain
Stratton in military surveying, and of Captains the
Hon. A. E. }larding° and Inglis in French, were
specially noticed on their respective certificates ; and
the following gentlemen cadets, who had completed
their qualifications for commissions, were recommended
to his Grace the Commander-in-Chief for
eappoint-
ment to ensigneies in the line without purchase
1, William H. W. Pattoun ;
5, Charles
3, Richard Hotham; 4, James D. Travers;_
7iVilliam W.
R. Rickets; 6, Robert B. Stokes;
9, ,
John W. Iles-
Knollys; 8, George T. H. Atchiso23..H.
A. `Yard; 11,
kisson; 10, the Hon. Somerset
Edwardli
2, William pArcGodley ;
A. Anderson; 13,
Charles C. W. Vesey; 12, .
Wilti!tei_k__Alle7a,rcesh;arl.lse,s Henryp . :
Fma.lcsotnuepryitWonil;soln6:
By the
S
Ellis; 18, Reginald S. Williams. result of
40 other younggentlemen
were examinations about ,
declared to have made various steps towards
were
themselves for commisions in those branches
Robertl .1.!...1ia1y i
gillalifyingh which are applicable to
the m -amatics
o- at anent and field fortification, and the attack
e of fortresses ; in Latin and general history;
perm
in the modern languages ; and 14 had also, during
and
the half-year, completed the course of professional edu-
cation in military surveying, and 21 in the actual con-
apnodsedse; fiennc
con-
struction of intrcnchments and saps in the field, pow-
awning, &C.

EXTENSIVE CAPTURE OF SMUGGLED GOODS.-011
Thursday night three well-known smugglers, with a waggon
and horses, and about three tons of smuggled tobacco in
cases, tvere seized by Mr. Davis, tide-surveyor, at Bristol.
Owing to information having reached him of the intended
removal of the contraband goods, he, in company with other
oilicers, kept a good look-out, and between eleven and twelve
o'clock he saw the waggon proceeding along the New Cut
by the River Avon. lie immediately accosted the driver,
and, after some resistance, succeeded in capturing three men,
named Thomas Rickards, Henry Barrett, and John Sprague,
who were yesterday (Friday) brought up before the magis-
trates at Bristol, chargeol with the offence of smuggling and
with having assaulted the officers in the execution of their
duty. The case was remanded till Thursday next.

ROYAL GENERAL ANNUITY SOCIETY'S FLORAL
FETES AND FANCY BAEAAR.—Yesterday the third and last
day of the grand Floral Fete and Fancy Bazaar, in aid of the
funds of the above society, took place at the Hanover-square
Rooms, and was again honoured with a full attendance of
fashionable company. The stalls under the presidency of
the noble patroneeeea were profusely decorated with fancy
good!,