The steam trawler John Meikle, of North Shields, when homeward bound from fishing on the 13th October, stranded half a mile to the north of Newbiggin Point, in a very heavy fog, a moderate S.E. gale and rough sea. Information of the casualty reached the Life-boat authorities shortly before 2 A.M. and the Life-boat Ada Lewis was launched with- out delay. The captain of the vessel requested the Life-boat to stand by him, as the weather was very uncertain. She accordingly did so until 1.15 in the afternoon, when the weather moderated somewhat. The captain then stated that if he required any further assist- ance he would again signal, and the Life-boat, after a vigil extending over nearly twelve hours, returned ashore.

During the afternoon attempts were made to re-float the stranded vessel with the assistance of tugs, but they proved to be unsuccessful..