In 1877 the Falmouth Brig "John Douse", on passage from Rouen to Cork, had sought shelter from a southerly gale in Sandown Bay. Instead of moderating the gale grew into a violent storm which caused the brig to run aground at about 8pm. Local fishing boats could not get to sea so a messenger was sent to Bembridge to get the lifeboat. Because of the severity of the storm the lifeboat could not row round Culver Cliff so it was decided to take the it overland to Sandown. After three hours hard slog in driving rain and against 70 mile an hour winds the then Bembridge Lifeboat, the "City of Worcester", arrived in Sandown Bay at midnight. The "John Douse" had disappeared into the night as the high seas breaking over her had extinguished her lights and the six crewmen were forced to seek refuge in the rigging. After a search lasting an hour and a half the wreck was located. The Master, Tom Saunders dropped from a boom into the lifeboat, and the Mate was rescued from the sea. Further rescue at that time was impossible due to the severety of the gale. As the lifeboat was beating to seaward to lie off, after having been swept away from the wreck by a particularly large wave, the she was swamped and Coxwain Serle was swept overboard. The boat followed his cries, found him and pulled him back on board. At daybreak the Coastguard launched their galley and rescued the remaining four crew members from the "John Douse"'s rigging.

The team start off ..	... go past the old Boathouse...	... up Lane End Road ...

... and onwards ...	... passing the Shops.

The overland journey of the first Bembridge Lifeboat "City of Worcester" was re-enacted on 30th May 1999 by the restored second Bembridge Lifeboat "Queen Victoria". The horse power was supplied by Brickfields Shire Horse Centre, man power supplied by the crew of the present Bembridge Lifeboat.

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