At about 7.45 P.M. on the 20th -May two of H.M. Torpedo-boat Destroyers, the Oherwell and Ettrick, when near the Barber Sand steaming northward, ran aground. The weather was moderate, but the ships being unable to get clear fired signals for assistance. The Covent Garden Life-boat from Caister and the John Bwrch Life-boat from Yarmouth, together with tugs promptly responded.

The former boat went to the Cherwell and the latter to the Ettrick, and both rendered valuable assistance in getting the vessels off, there being no less than seventy persons on board each ship..