When the local sloop, Maria, tried to enter Wick Harbour on Wednesday, 20 November, 1860, a very heavy swell prevented her from doing so and she was forced to seek shelter in Sinclair Bay, where her crew dropped anchor. The weather grew steadily worse until, by next morning, conditions were appalling.  Captain John Tudor, of Wick Lifeboat, set out for Ackergill in a horse-drawn gig, taking with him lines and lifebelts, while arrangements were made to get horses to haul Wick Lifeboat on her launching carriage, overland to Ackergill, the harbour at Wick having been closed because of the dreadful conditions. However, as soon as Captain Tudor reached the shore, he realised the need for immediate action and so, a boat belonging to the Caithness Steam Shipping Company was pressed into service, being transported to Shorelands Beach, directly opposite where the Maria lay at anchor, being pounded by huge seas. With a crew of nine men, under Captain Tudor, the boat which had been built on the lines of the old Wick Lifeboat and which was used for landing passengers at Ackergill, when the steamers were prevented from entering Wick Harbour, reached the Maria and as huge waves swept over both boats, the crew of two were rescued and landed safely, just as the Wick Lifeboat arrived on the beach.

For his great gallantry on that occasion, Captain Tudor, RN, was awarded his second Silver Medal by the RNLI.  He also received the Silver Medal from the Board of Trade, while each member of his brave crew received the Board of Trade Bronze Medal.