On the 26th April, at about 9 A.M., several of the fishing-cobles were observed running for the harbour. As a strong breeze was blowing, and the sea had risen very much, it was feared that they might meet with accident in crossing the bar.

The Palmerston Life-boat was therefore pulled out to their aid. The first coble which arrived got in with difficulty; and as the sea was very heavy on the bar, and the tide was low, the Life-boatmen persuaded the crews of the other boats to make for Shields, rather than run the risk of losing their boats..