Life-Boat, at Shields, one of the most useful modern inventions, by which many lives and much property have already been saved. It was built by Mr. Greathead, an eminent ship-builder, and generously presented to the inhabitants of South Shields by the, present Duke of Northumberland, by whose beneficence North Shields has also been supplied with a boat of a similar construction.

Mr. Fairless, who furnished some useful hints respecting the original plan; describes the. vessel as measuring thirty feet by ten, re sembling in form a common Green land boat, but more flat in the bottom. The quantity of cork employed in the construction is about seven hundred weight, with which the boat is lined, inside as well as outside of the gunwales, two feet in breadth ; the seats being also filled with the same material. It Is rowed by ten men, double banked, and steered by one at each end with oars, being alike in its form at both ends, and contrived so as not to sink in the sand.

This boat draws very little water, and can carry twenty persons, even when full of water. Being water-proof, and rendered buoyant by cork, it always keeps afloat, preserving its equilibrium without danger of oversetting, and is able to contend against the most tremendous sea, having never failed, in a single instance, of conveying a distressed ship's crew in safety.

When taken out in the highest seas and broken water, the men testify no apprehension ; and though cork-jackets were at first provided for them, yet their confidence in the boat is so great, that they now refuse them.

A model of this useful boat is kept at Northumberland-house, in the Strand. It might be improved, by providing it with wheels, for its more ready conveyance to the place where it is immediately wanted. .

The vessel, when complete and copper-nailed, costs about 1501.— But in the moment of distress, what shipwrecked mariner would not think this article a cheap purchase, and pronounce the value of such a boat to be truly inestimable.

A.patent has lately been granted to Mr. Edward Steers, of the

Inner Temple, for a machine to be applied to boats and other vessels, for the purpose of moving them with ease and swiftness. This invention consists of two or more paddles, moving by means of machinery, in contrary and alternate directions. The paddles are so constructed, that when the machinery is set in motion, the broad surface of one or more of them will press against the water, while the broad surface of the other, or others, will give way to it, and by this means the vessel will be moved.