At 6 A.M. on the 4th February a telephone message was received stating that a ship was burning flares as a signal of distress close to the headland. With all haste the No. 2 Life-boat Matthew Middleuood was launched and proceeded to her.

They found that she was the ketch Princess May, of Littlehampton, bound for Sunderland loaded, and in the strong north-west gale had lost one of her masts. Assistance was offered- but declined ; the Life - boat therefore stood by the ketch until it was seen that she would be able to get into safety. The boat then returned ashore..