During a gale of wind on the 3rd May, the smack Vale of Gonway, of Port Dinorwic, was seen in a disabled state at some distance from the land, off the south end of the Isle of Whithorn, in Wigtonshire. The Life-boat Charley Peek "was at once launched, and proceeded through a heavy sea to the rescue of the shipwrecked crew, this being her first service. The smack had been seriously damaged by the breaking adrift of her main-boom, and had sunk in deep water. Her own small boat was likewise stove, and all hope of saving their lives had been given up by her crew of 3 men, when the Life-boat appeared on the scene and conveyed them safely to the shore.

The service is reported to have been a very creditable one to all concerned. The inhabitants of the small port had enthu- siastically and gratuitously assisted to launch the Life-boat, which was promptly done, and the ready and able crew who manned her reported in high terms of her behaviour on the occasion..