The four- masted barque Optima, of Hamburg, stranded on the Haisborough Sands on the morning of the 19th January, and the guns fired by the Light-vessels brought several Life-boats and tugs in the vicinity to her assistance. The vessel was 2,845 tons register, with a crew of 32 hands on board, and was bound from Hamburg to Santa Kosario, South America, with a cargo of coke.

On the arrival of the steam Life-boa James Stevens No. 3 she was employed to assist in an attempt to salve the vessel, and next day the Gorleston No.

1 Life-boat Marlt Lane arrived, and was also engaged, together with another Life-boat. That night half a gale of wind from N.E. sprang up, and for safety the crew were taken into the Life-boats, but hopes of saving the barque were not abandoned. About 5 A.M. on the 21st the wind moderated, and the men were put back, and worked all day at the pumps and to jettison all the cargo possible. Several tugs were also engaged to tow her clear, but all efforts were fruitless. The sea mean- while had been increasing in roughness and huge waves washed right over the ship. At 5 P.M. from the bumping and straining, the vessel's back suddenly broke, and she swung round, placing the Life-boats and the men on board in grave danger. The steam Life-boat then rendered most useful and valuable service in towing the other boats clear of the wreck, and her promptness alone averted a serious catastrophe, the Mark Lane being seriously damaged by being dashed against the vessel's side befoi'e help could reach her. All hands were eventually rescued and landed at Yar- mouth in safety but the magnificent vessel had to be left and became a total wreck..