At 5.15 in the morning of the 23rd February, the Coastguard reported that he had been watching a vessel for some time, and apparently she was on the North Rock.

The crew of the Life-boat Faith were assembled at the boat-house and kept in readiness, whilst steps were taken to ascertain if the vessel were ashore.

Shortly afterwards the weather cleared a little and a lai'ge steamer could be seen. The Life-boat was therefore launched at once and proceeded to her.

They found that she was an Italian steamer, the Themis of Genoa, bound from Glasgow to Spezzia with a cargo of pitch. The Life-boat brought eighteen of the crew ashore, and towed a boat containing their clothes. Seven men, however, decided to remain on board, and as a precaution the Life-boat was again sent to the steamer ; she remained some time, but only one more man wished to be landed and he was brought ashore during the afternoon. During this service the sea was heavy, but the east wind, which had been blowing a gale all night, had moderated a little.

The men who remained on board were eventually landed in a shore-boat..