On 8 May 1889 the Christiansand registered brig, Hermick, came ashore near Keiss, in dense fog, her crew of eight being rescued by a boat from Keiss. When conditions eased, the crew returned to the Hermick, to salvage what they could. However, a strong south easterly wind blew up on the 10th, whipping up very heavy seas and the ship's boats, which had been used to ferry goods between the ship and the shore, were smashed to pieces.
The newly installed Ackergill Lifeboat the Jonathan Marshall,Sheffield was called to service for the very first time along with the local Rocket Brigade. With mountainous seas crashing over the wreck, which was lying in the heavy surf, the lifeboat had great difficulty in getting close. A line was thrown by the shipwrecked men and made fast aboard the lifeboat, but so violent were the seas, that it quickly parted and the lifeboat was driven to leeward. Despite valiant efforts by Coxswain William Thain and his crew, it proved impossible to get back to the wreck and the lifeboat was driven ashore. The Rocket Apparatus team fired a line across the wrecked brig and by means of this, the crew were saved. For his gallantry during this rescue, Alexander Wares, of the Wick Volunteer Lifesaving Company, was awarded the Board of Trade's Bronze Medal.
The newly installed Ackergill Lifeboat the Jonathan Marshall,Sheffield was called to service for the very first time along with the local Rocket Brigade. With mountainous seas crashing over the wreck, which was lying in the heavy surf, the lifeboat had great difficulty in getting close. A line was thrown by the shipwrecked men and made fast aboard the lifeboat, but so violent were the seas, that it quickly parted and the lifeboat was driven to leeward. Despite valiant efforts by Coxswain William Thain and his crew, it proved impossible to get back to the wreck and the lifeboat was driven ashore. The Rocket Apparatus team fired a line across the wrecked brig and by means of this, the crew were saved. For his gallantry during this rescue, Alexander Wares, of the Wick Volunteer Lifesaving Company, was awarded the Board of Trade's Bronze Medal.