On the morning of the 23rd September a heavy gale sprang up, accompanied by a very rough sea. About 52 of the herring-boats were then out at sea, but several of these landed. Others, however, held on by their nets, hoping that the gale would abate. The storm still continued, and as the boats off Newbiggin were in much danger, the Life-boat was launched and proceeded to their assistance, and remained by them until all with one exception, were safely landed.

This one boat dragged her anchors and drove on the rocks. In order to launch the Life-boat the women of the place had to lend a hand, on account of so many of the men being away at the time, and they waded up to their middle in order to get the boat well and speedily afloat from its carriage. About an hour afterwards the Life-boat again went out and rescued the crew, consisting of 7 men, from the schooner Union T., which struck on the Out Carr Rocks, north of Newbiggin Point. The master had cut away the foremast, and endeavoured to get the vessel off the rocks; but all efforts to do so failed, and as she began to leak he signalled for the Life-boat.

The vessel, which was on a voyage from Calais to Warkworth Harbour in ballast, became a total wreck.