A message was received shortly before nine o'clock in the morning of the 6th August, stating that a sailing-barge was in difficulties near the entrance to Mothecombe Harbour. The Life-boat Michael Smart was at once launched and proceeded to the barge, which was found dangerously near the rocks, and shipping a great deal of water, the crew of two men being in a very exhausted condition. She had put to sea the previous evening, but her rudder carried away ; she then anchored, but in the heavy weather which was prevailing, her cable also carried away, and when the Life-boat reached her she was depending only on two small anchors.

As there was not much prospect of the barge remaining afloat very long, the crew were taken into the Life-boat, which then returned and landed them at Yealm Harbour..