The Coastguard reported about 4 P.M. on 4th December that the two local fishing boats Ethel and Mother's Joy were in distress ofi Seaham, and a few minutes later the Motor Life-boat Elliot Galer put out.

A whole westerly gale was blowing, with a rough sea. The Life-boat came up with the Ethel at 4.45 P.M., took her three men on board, and the boat in tow, and then went in search of Mother's Joy, which she luckily found in the darkness at 5.30 P.M. With, six rescued men on board and the two boats in tow, the Life-boat started for home, but the conditions were so bad that the boats had to be cast adrift. The Life-boat reached her Station again at 6.35 P.M.— Rewards, £11 15s. 3d..