SEAHAM, DURHAM.—A reef of rocks about one mile to the south of Seaham Harbour was, on the 18th February,the scene of a shipping disaster which would have probably caused the loss of twelve lives had it not been for the valuable aid rendered by the Life-boat Skynner. The s.s. Lilian, of Newcastle, while bound from Rochester to Seaham in ballast, stranded on the night of the 17th-18th February, and the captain at once came ashore to get the assistance of tugs to get his ship off. Having made his arrangements, he engaged pilot to put him back on board his steamer, but the northerly wind and the sea had increased so much that they found it impossible to approach the stranded steamer. The harbour tug put off to see what prospect there was of saving the vessel, and met the pilot boat returning with the captain. He then asked for the services of the Lifeboat, as the ship was rapidly filling, and was in danger of breaking up. Immediately on the return of the tug, the crew of the Life-boat were assembled and the boat was smartly launched.

The tug then towed her as near the wreck as possible, and when the men on board had been rescued, took her back to harbour, where she had to remain, owing to the weather, which had got very much worse. Very shortly afterwards the steamer became a total wreck..