At about 4 P.M. on the 29th October, during a gale of wind from the S.S.E., a ketch, riding about one mile north-east of the harbour, was observed flying signals of distress. In response, the crew of the Life-boat Mary Isabella were quickly mustered and the boat launched. This proved a very difficult task owing to the soft sand which was silted up at the end of the slipway. The boat, however, was eventually got afloat, and on reach- ing the ketch, which proved to be the X. L., of Castletown, she took off the four men on board, and brought them ashore..