Shortly after noon on the 18th February information, was received stating that a large ship was aground on the Shingle Sands. The crew of the No. 2 Life-boat Civil Service No. 1 were assembled and the boat launched. On reaching the vessel the captain was asked if he required help, and at his request the Life-boat stood by until the following high water, when the weather having improved she was able to return to her station, tugs remaining with the vessel. Margate was reached at 1 A.M.

The ship was the Marechal Suchet, of Nantes, and at the time of the casualty was bound from Japan to London..