Signals of distress were seen on the north part of the Barber Sand at 7 A.M. on the 7th December during a fresh N.E.

wind and a heavy sea. The Cockle lightship was also firing guns and rockets.

The Covent Garden Life-boat was launched and found the barque Zelos, of Grimstad, laden with deals, ashore on the sands.

The boat went alongside and with difficulty took off the crew of ten men ; a rope was then made fast to the vessel and the boat veered clear of the breakers and dropped her anchor. She rode about three-quarters of an hour, when the sea, which was breaking over the vessel, forced her over the sand clear of the breakers.

The boat was then hauled to her, and a rope was taken to a steam-tug. The barque was subsequently towed to Harwich full of water. Before the Life-boat reached her one of her own boats had been launched, into which all the crew got with the exception of the master; but the sea was found to be so heavy that they all went on board again. Soon afterwards the painter parted and the boat floated away and was driven ashore bottom upwards..