On the 3rd December, in a fresh gale and heavy swell, with falls of snow and sleet, a brig was observed, apparently near the Goodwin Sands, with a signal of distress in the main rigging, and soon afterwards she was seen to cut away both masts. The Ramsgate tug and life-boat immediately pro- ceeded off to the vessel, and on arriving there very heavy confused seas were breaking all around her, and she was riding to only one anchor, the other having previously parted.

The life-boat was slipped from the tug, and made fast to the vessel, but broke adrift in consequence of the violence of the wind and sea; and it was only after great difficulty that her crew were enabled to put their tow-line on board the brig. The vessel's anchor was then slipped, and she was towed safely into Ramsgate harbour. She proved to be the brig Cruiser, of Hartlepool, having a crew of 6 men, and was bound to that port from London, in ballast..