Shortly after noon on the 28th January the brig Fleetwing, of Carnarvonshire, whilst bound to King's Lynn, was observed to miss stays when close to the Scroby sands and let go her anchors. As it was thought that the vessel was on the sands, the Life-boat John SurcJi was launched to her assistance. On arrival it was found that she was not actually aground but in a very dangerous position, with the sea breaking quite close to her.

The Life-boat's crew were employed by the captain to get the brig's anchors which had fouled, and to get the vessel into a safer position. With the assist- ance of a tug this was accomplished, and the vessel was towed into Yarmouth Roads and anchored..