The fishing cobles put to sea in the early morning of 13th December, when the weather was fine. About 7.30 a south- easterly, wind rose and increased until blowing withtheforce of a moderate gale.

As great anxiety was felt by the relatives of the men who were afloat, the Life-boat Ada Lewis was launched and stood by the boats until they reached safety. The weather was very bad before the last one got in and the sea was very heavy..