At 9.20 P.M. on the 3rd February signals of distress were heard from the Long- stone Lighthouse, and steps were immediately taken to launch the Life- boat Forster Fawsett. Owing to the state of the tide and the muddy nature of the shore very considerable difficulty was experienced in launching the boat, but after a great deal of hard work it was successfully accomplished. She found the steam trawler Segal, of Grimsby, ashore on the rocks on the Fame Island, and the crew were engaged to try and save the vessel, which was returning from the fishing ground. A heavy kedge anchor was laid out, and after two hours' work the vessel was refloated, apparently but little damaged.

As the vessel was able to proceed on her journey, the Life-boat returned to her station. At the time of the accident the weather was hazy with a moderate S.S.E. wind, but while the Life-boat was returning to her station the wind increased to a strong gale..