Shortly before noon on the 30th March, the Coastguard reported that a message had been received from the Gunfleet Lighthouse, stating that a steamer was ashore on the Sunk Sands. A moderate N.E. breeze was blowing at the time, and the sea was moderately rough.

The crew of the Life-boat James Stevens No. 14 were assembled and the boat proceeded to the stranded vessel.

When she reached her, the Coxswain, W. Hammond, boarded the vessel and advised the captain to run out a large anchor. This was done by the Life- boat, and after some time the vessel was successfully refloated with the assistance of her own steam. As the vessel was found to be making no water the Life-boat returned to her station, where she arrived at 2.30 A.M. The vessel was the s.s. Glassalt, of Aber- deen, bound from London to Newcastle, with a cargo of cement..