During the night of the 27th March the smack Victory, of Hull, bound from the Dogger Bank to that port, was driven ashore north of Withernsea Pier. It was blowing hard from E.S.E., with a heavy sea running and thick rain. The wreck was discovered a couple of hours after midnight, and the Life-boat Pelican was promptly launched to her assistance.

Unfortunately, scarcely had the Life-boat got through the worst of the surf, and fairly clear of the shore, than some people on the beach hailed to say that the crew had been saved. The Life-boat was accordingly run ashore; then it was ascertained that the news was untrue, and the crew still clinging to the rigging of the sunken vessel. The Life-boat had to be remounted on her carriage, and the difficulty and danger of launching off an open beach in storm and darkness a second time encountered. Eventually the Life-boat reached the wreck and succeeded in rescuing the entire crew of 5 men..