During a thick fog, with a strong S.E. wind and choppy sea, on the 13th April, information reached the Coxswain of the Life-boat Matthew Middlewood that a steamer was signalling for assistance, apparently on the S. Smethic Sands.

The Coxswain launched the boat and found the s.s. Royal Standard firmly aground. At the request of the cap- tain the Life-boat stood by the steamer until she floated, and having accom- panied her far enough to ascertain that she was not making water, she returned ashore..