At midnight on the 30th December the same life-boat put off again, in tow of the steam-tug Aid, in reply to signals of distress from the light-vessel on the Goodwin Sands.

While proceeding to the southward at the back of the Sands, a large vessel was seen on shore. The life-boat was grounded on the Sand about 40 fathoms from the ship, which was boarded by the life-boat's crew; and a lugger and another steam-tug having come out to the rescue, all were employed, and great exertions were made to save the vessel from destruction. The wind and sea, however, increased as the tide rose, and both the steamers' towing-hawsers were obliged to be slipped and drawn on board. The Aid then returned to the life-boat and towed her to windward of the wreck, and after two attempts the life-boat succeeded in taking off the vessel's crew of 16 men. The sea at this time was very heavy, rendering it extremely perilous in getting the shipwrecked crew out, the life-boat occasionally striking heavily against the vessel's side, slightly damaging her. The shipwrecked men were afterwards placed on board the tug, and brought safely into harbour. The vessel proved to be the barque Norma, of Bremen.