At 6.20 P.M. on the 25th April the Life-boat Charles Arkcoll was launched in a heavy sea and blinding snowstorm to the assistance of the barge Amy, of London. A moderate W.S.W. gale was blowing, and the barge had lost her top-mast and bowsprit.

She anchored off St. Leonards, but her cable parted, and she was in danger of being driven ashore. Fortunately just before the Life-boat reached her the wind changed to a more favourable quarter. The Life-boatmen boarded the barge, and the captain requested them to take her to a position of safety as he and his crew were exhausted. She was therefore taken to Dungeness East Bay, the Life-boat Coxswain and crew taking turns at the wheel. The weather being too severe for the Life-boat to attempt to get back to Hastings she was beached at Dungeness at 2 A.M., and the crew returned home by train. Next day, the weather having moderated and the wind being more favourable, the Life-boat was taken back to the station. There were three men on the barge at the time of the accident, the barge being bound from London to Portsmouth with a cargo..