The Life-boat crew were called at midnight on the 30th of March, signals of distress having been observed in the roads, supplemented by rockets fired from the Light-vessel. The Mark Lane Life-boat was launched, and soon reached the distressed vessel, which proved to be the fishing dandy White Star, of Yarmouth.

She had driven from her anchors across the cables of a brig lying at anchor.

The Life-boat anchored to windward, veered alongside, and tried to get her free. The efforts however failed, and the crew of the trawler, six in number, fearing that their vessel would founder under the brig's bows, left in the Lifeboat, which was then towed into the harbour. At daylight, observing the trawler to be still afloat, the Life-boat men again put off to her, sheered her clear of the brig, slipped her cables, her anchor having fouled that of the brig, and brought her safely into harbour..