NORTH DEAL.—Signal rockets and guns having been fired by the Gull Light-vessel on the 4th January, the Life-boat Mary Somerville was launched at about 6.15 P.M., and proceeded towards the Goodwin Sands. The wind was blowing moderately from the N.N.W. and the sea was smooth, but after a time a strong breeze sprung up and the water became rough. On their way to the Sands the Life-boat men, observing large flares burning, at once steered in the direction of the flares, and found they were shown by the brig Kate, of and from Guernsey bound for London, laden with granite. She had stranded on the North West Spit of the Sand, and three Deal boats were alongside her. The Life-boat men were employed to throw out the cargo and try to get the vessel afloat, and with the help of the other boatmen this was ultimately accomplished.

The brig having sprung a leak the pumps were kept constantly at work, and at about 6 o'clock on the following evening, the vessel, with her crew of nine men on board, was taken into Ramsgate harbour.