On the 17th July, during a moderate N.N.W. gale and rough sea, information was received that a barque was ashore on the Kentish Knock Sands, with a flag signal flying, which could not be distinguished on account of the rain. The No. 2 Life- boat Civil Service No. 1 was launched and proceeded to the sands, where she'found the French barque Due d'Aumale riding to her anchor in about four and a half fathoms of water. The captain reported that his vessel had been ashore, and that he was anxious to get his tug, which was at anchor about two miles away.

The Life-boat offered to proceed to the tug and this offer was accepted. When she reached the tug the captain was informed that the barque was afloat, and that he was to proceed to her as soon as possible—it was then high water —as the captain of the barque did not wish her to ground again. The Life- boat then returned to the vessel and, when the tug arrived upon the scene, the crew assisted in passing ropes from the tug to the ship. As there was a nasty " run " alongside the ship the tug could not get close to her, and if the Life- boat had not been in attendance, in all probability communication could not have been effected. When the tow rope was made fast the tug got the vessel clear of the sands, and, as she was able to proceed, the Life-boat returned to her station. When the accident occurred the vessel was bound from Falmouth to Hull with a cargo of nitrate, and there were twenty-one persons OH board..