On the morning of the llth February the Ferryden fleet of fishing boats, about fifty in number, left Montrose for the fishing grounds, the wind blowing then a moderate breeze from the N. About 11 o'clock the wind increased, and a heavy sea was soon breaking across the bar.

The assistant coxswains of the Life-boats, who had been out fishing, returned ashore and represented the danger some of the boats would be in, and it was therefore decided to launch the No. 1 Life-boat Augusta as the sea was becoming heavier.

The boat put off at 2.10 P.M., and remainedafloat until 5.45, by which time all the boats which intended to return to Montrose had got safely in. Several of the smaller boats ran south and took shelter at Usan, Arbroath, and other places..