Large flares were seen in the direction of the Cross Sand at 9 P.M. on Sunday the 8th of March, and the Lightships fired guns and rockets. The No. 1 Lifeboat, Covent Garden, went to the sand, and found the three-masted schooner, Akyab, of Genoa, bound from Cyprus for Hull, with locust-beans. With the aid of a steam-tug, a yawl, and the Life-boat, the vessel was got afloat, and made for Harwich, the Life-boat accompanying her.

On nearing the Shipwash Lightship, at about 7 o'clock the following morning, a steamer was seen on the sand, with a signal of distress flying. The Life-boat at once cast-off, set sail, and went to her assistance; she proved to be the Bedale, of Scarborough, bound from Hull for the south of France with coal-tar pitch. The master engaged the Life-boat men to try to get the steamer afloat, and to remain by him in case of bad weather.

A yawl having subsequently arrived, her crew were employed to heave the cargo overboard; but after working for some time, the weather became so bad that they were compelled to leave. The wind and sea continued to increase, and as the sea was breaking right over the vessel, her crew of nineteen men, a pilot, and a dog, were taken into the Life-boat, and landed at Harwich at about 5 P.M. While crossing the sand several very heavy seas were shipped. The Life-boat remained in the harbour during the night, and at about 7 o'clock on the following morning was towed out to the steamer, and found that she had made but little water. The crew of the yawl returned to the vessel, a tug bringing out the crew of the steamer, and with the efforts of all corubiued, the vessel was got afloat, and was towed into Harwich at 11 P.M. The Life-boat again stayed in the harbour all night, and started for her station at 6 o'clock the next morning, arriving at 1 P.M..