On the 15th February, during a fresh E. breeze, the Life-boat Bradford and steam-tug Aid proceeded out, in reply to signals from lightships, and found the ketch Richard Willson, of London, bound from Goole to Exmouth with coal, ashore on the N.E. part of the Goodwin Sands.

On arriving near the spot, the Life-boat was slipped and sailed towards the vessel, which was found to be striking heavily and fast sinking. The master, his wife and two children, and the crew of 3 men were at once taken on board the Boat, which then made sail across the sand, through a rough sea, to the harbour. The tug being on the off side of the sand steered round the North Sand Head, and followed into the harbour..