About three o’clock in the afternoon, the screw-steamer Scotia, which was among the departures of the morning, being bound for Grangemouth, was seen making for the harbour. As she took the bar the vessel was struck by terrific sea, which flew completely over her, making all on deck bold on for their lives, drowning out the fires, and filling the after compartments with water. The greatest excitement prevailed on shore as the vessel’s precarious situation was observed, and the lifeboats were hauled out to tender assistance, when the steam-tug Sunbeam, which had been lying inside the bar, sped to the assistance of the Scotia, succeeded in taking her in tow, and bringing her safe into the harbour.
Source: Shields Daily Gazette 17th November 1866