At 8 A.M. on the 14th September a barge was seen drifting ashore about half-a-mile from Thorpeness. The assembly signal was at once fired and the No. 2 Life-boat promptly launched. The life-saving apparatus also proceeded to the scene of the casualty, but was unable to get into communication. The crew of two men were rescued by the Life-boat, which then stood by for some time to see if it would be possible, with the assistance of a tug, to save the craft.

1 After two hours' waiting, all attempts were abandoned, as the sea was too heavy in the prevailing easterly gale.

The barge, which was the Monarch, of London, eventually became a total wreck..