Several of the fishing cobles were overtaken by a heavy northerly wind and sea on the 18th July and were unable to make harbour. As the weather continued very bad the whole of the next day it was considered advisable to send the Life-boat to assist the men.

The boat was launched at 5 P.M. on the 19th July and brought five boats and the fifteen men, forming the crews, into safety. One of the boats—the Gem— belonged to Sunderland, and the others, named the Fisher Lass, Bock of Safety, Wings of the Morning, and George, fished from Cullercoats..