On the 14th March, at 3.30 A.M., during a fresh breeze from N.E., the Bradford Life-boat and steam-tug Vulcan proceeded to the Goodwin Sands in response to guns and rockets from the Gull Lightship, and found the barque Surinam, of Amsterdam, ashore there. The services of the Life-boat and tug were at once engaged by the master to try to get the vessel off, and the steamer attached her hawser and commenced towing; but the tide was falling fast, and after trying for about an hour it was seen that it couldnot then be accomplished. The starboard anchor was, however, got ready, and the steamer took it out a distance of seventy-five fathoms, and on the tide flowing she once more backed in, attached her hawser to the starboard quarter, and again commenced towing. After towing for some time, the tide forced the vessel round, when the tow-rope was slipped and made fast to the starboard bow. Again the steamer commenced towing, the crew heaving on the windlass.

The vessel bumped heavily on the sand, but in about half an hour she came afloat, and was taken to a safe anchorage in the Downs. She had a general cargo and a crew of 10 men, and was bound from Amsterdam to Surinam, Dutch Guiana..