FLEETWOOD, LANCASHIRE. — About 7.30 on the morning of the 23rd February a vessel was observed in distress on the east side of Sunderland Bank, Morecambe Bay. A strong W.S.W. gale was blowing, which steadily increased, accompanied by a very heavy sea. The crew of the Lifeboat Maude Pickup was summoned and, the boat having been launched, proceeded to the vessel, which proved to be the barque Vanadit, of Mariehamn.

It appeared that she had stranded during the night, and when the tide ebbed six of her crew and the pilot managed, at great risk, to get ashore; but as the flood made the gale increased so much that all hope of those remaining onboard leaving their vessel had to be abandoned. However, the Life-boat was then nearing the scene of the disaster, and the Coxswain with considerable difficulty got the rest of the crew, consisting of the captain and eight men, into the Life-boat. They then beat back to Fleetwood against a very heavy sea and a piercing wind, having travelled about twenty-six miles..