Also, on the 12th February, the life-boat and steamer were again off in reply to sig- nals of distress from ships in the neighbour- hood of the Goodwin Sands. The wind had shifted from a southerly to a north-westerly direction, and in a few minutes a terrific gale sprang up, which eventually became a perfect hurricane. On reaching the Goodwin, the life-boat men found a large barque on shore on the North-West Spit. The sea was very rough, making a complete breach over the vessel, and the life-boat could not then get alongside of her. She accordingly cruised about for a while, and shortly after midnight repeated the attempt to get along- side the barque, but again without success.

About three o'clock, the ship being nearly to pieces, she made a third attempt, and this time succeeded. The vessel proved to be the Highland Chief, of London, bound from Shields for Carthagena, with a cargo of coals and cinders. Five of the crew had got into a boat and endeavoured to save themselves, but were supposed to have perished. The remainder of the crew (11 in number) and the pilot were taken on board the life-boat, which proceeded back to Ramsgate in tow of the steamer. As they were returning they fell in with an aban- doned schooner, the Tavistock, of Plymouth, which they succeeded in bringing safely into harbour..