Again on the 19th January, at 10.15 P.M., during a moderate gale from the N.E., the Life-boat Bradford and harbour steamtug Aid proceeded to the assistance of the ship Attila, of Newcastle, which had lost her fore and main masts, and was riding near the Long Sand with a signal of distress flying. Four of the Life-boatmen went on board the vessel to render assistance, and the Life-boat returned to the tug to request her to take the ship in tow. The steamer, however, had not sufficient coal on board to enable her to take the vessel to a place of safety. The tug and Life-boat therefore returned to Ramsgate and obtained a supply. At 12.30 A.M. the Life-boat and tug again went out, having on board eleven of the crew of the Attila, who had been landed at Ramsgate by a fishing vessel. At daylight they reached the ship, put the eleven men on board her, and eventually towed her towards the North Foreland.

The Life-boat then proceeded ashore to obtain the service of a pilot and another tug, arriving in the harbour at 9.15 P.M.

A pilot having been obtained, and another steam-tug having been engaged, the ship was ultimately taken to Gravesend. The Attila was bound from Shields to Spezzia with a cargo of coal and coke, is 1,146 tons register, and carried a crew of twenty-two men.