The Life-boat Fifi and Charles was launched during a moderate N.W. breeze and heavy ground swell on the 20th March, in answer to signals of distress from the s.s. Spiral, of Christiania. The vessel had stranded on the rocks whilst bound from Sunderland to Boulogne with a cargo of coal. When the Life-boat reached the vessel the captain asked Coxswain Upton to stand by and to assist in refloating the vessel. The Coxswain consented to do this, and the Life-boat remained with the steamer until 8.30 next morning; she then returned ashore and, later, was again launched. For several days attempts were made to get the vessel clear, but all efforts proved unsuccessful. During the night of the 25th March, while the salvage operations were proceeding, a heavy sea got up, and the Life-boat was obliged to land eighteen of the men who had been at work on the steamer.

Arrangements were then made with the captain and crew of the schooner to signal if further assistance was required.

After the Redcar boat had returned ashore it was found that her rudder had been damaged and that she could not return to the vessel, and as the crew still on board desired to be landed a message was sent to Teesmouth. The crew of that boat were assembled with- out loss of time, and she proceeded to the vessel. When she arrived she found twenty-two persona on board, consisting of twenty-one of the crew and the Company's Agent. The boat then took the men to Middlesborough, where they were landed. This boat is fitted with a motor which ran without a hitch..