At about 9.30 P.M. on the 18th February, during a fresh easterly gale and very rough sea, signals of distress were observed from a vessel to the westward of Caldy Island. The Life-boat William and Mary Devey was launched, and as soon as she got alongside the vessel took off the crew of three hands. She then sailed back to the Roads, where she remained under the lee of the Victoria Pier until 1.15 A.M., when she was able to run into harbour and land the rescued men.

The vessel was the ketch Cornish L«,«g, of Plymouth, and belonged to the Reverend Father Abbot of Caldy. At the time the crew were rescued she was riding heavily in a dangerous position..