At 1.5 A.M. on the 6th December a message was received, stating that a steamer was ashore at Druridge Bay. The crew of the Life-boat Mary Andrew were at once called, the Life-boat was launched at 1.30 A.M. and proceeded to the vessel, which was about three miles distant.

She proved to be the s.s. President, of Sunderland, bound from Hamburg to Sunderland, in ballast. When the Life-boat got alongside the tide was ebbing, and the Captain stated that neither he nor the crew desired to leave the vessel, but asked that the boat should render him assistance when the tide rose. After standing by the vessel for an hour the boat was beached near the scene of the wreck, and some of the crew returned to Hauxley for dry clothing, and at 10 A.M., six hours later, the boat again proceeded to the steamer and gave the assistance required. As the steamer failed to float the Life-boat returned to her station, arriving about 3 P.M..