On Sunday evening, 9th March, at about half-past six o'clock, the pilots on the look-out discovered a small steamer to the S. of the harbour. A heavy gale from S.S.E. was blowing at the time, and the sea was rapidly increasing. The Life-boat crews were promptly summoned, and the No. 1 Life-boat Mincing Lane put off to the assistance of the vessel, which proved to be the May Flower, of and from Glasgow for Montrose, with coal. Shortly before the Life-boat reached her she was driven to the north of the Annat Bank, where she struck. The boat pulled across the end of the bank, dropped down to the steamer on her starboard side, and got fast to her. The sea was so heavy, and the steamer rolled so much, that the crew of the Life-boat had to make four attempts before they could rescue the first man, but they bravely continued their efforts until the crew of 4 men were taken into the Life-boat. In effecting this rescue, the boat was filled five times by the heavy seas, six of her oars were broken, and she was lifted as high as the steamer's rail, and dashed against it, damaging her bow.

Attempts were now made to pull the boat to sea, but she was so disabled that it was found impossible to do so, and she drove on an outlying bank on the north side of the Annat Sands. The coxswain and one of the crew then had lines secured to them, and made two attempts to reach the shore; on the second occasion they were met by a man from the shore with a locket-line, by means of which they got the boat's hawser ashore, and the boat with those on board were hauled about halfway across the sands.

The boat had to be left, however, as the tide had begun to make, and was rushing in. The No. 2 Life-boat Roman Governor of Caer Hun was launched at 7.15, when it was observed that the other boat was in danger; but it having been ascertained that the wrecked crew had been taken into the Mincing Lane, she went as near as possible to the south side of the bank until that boat was seen to be pulled on the bank. Both crews were occupied until nearly midnight in getting the No.

1 Life-boat into the river in a very heavy surf, all hands being thoroughly drenched.

The No. 2 Life-boat subsequently rendered assistance to the steamer which beat up on the beach and was afterwards floated off.

In addition to the customary rewards, the thanks of the Institution, inscribed on vellum and framed, were presented, through the coxswains, to the crews of the Montrose Life-boats, for the good services they have so frequently rendered in saving life, especially on the occasion of those above-mentioned. {Vide p. 412.).