At 10.50 P.M. on the 16th February information was received that a ship close to the end of the breakwater was making signals of distress. The steam Life-boat Duke of Northumberland was promptly dis- patched to her assistance and found the schooner Reaper, of Castletown, with her sails badly damaged. She had dragged her anchors and drifted right on to the breakwater, in such a position that two of the crew managed to jump ashore from the rigging. The three men remaining on board the vessel were saved by the Life-boat.

At the time of the service a strong S. gale was blowing with a very rough sea..