At 2.43 P.M., on the 19th June, the Coastguard reported to the Coxswain of the Life-boat Mark Lane that a vessel was aground on the Cross Sand, and in seven minutes the Life-boat was launched.

A south-easterly wind was blowing and there was a moderate sea. The stranded vessel was the schooner Helene, of Groningen, laden with cement, from Rochester for Kirkoaldy, and, with the help of the Life-boat men and a steamtug, she was got off the sand at 11.35, the Life-boat regaining her station at 1.45 on the following morning..