In a severe gale of 6 January 1867, the French lugger Courrier, on passage from Dunkerque to Dieppe, ran aground off Dymchurch.

John Ward visited the station on 11 January to investigate the incident, and concluded that a more powerful lifeboat was required; in other words, one with more oars, more manpower.

[7] On 22 January 1873, while at anchor in thick fog 3 miles (4.8 km) off Dungeness, the full-rigged ship Northfleet was rammed by the Murillo.

[2][5][8][9] New Romney lifeboat Dr. Hatton would rescue 10 men from the barque Alliance, on passage from London to Dieppe on 14 December 1874, when she was driven ashore.

[10][11] On 10 April 1876, the New Romney lifeboat was called to the aid of the Dutch schooner Tobina, which had run aground at Roar Bank, with seven men aboard.

Two men were washed overboard, but after a difficult launch into very poor conditions, excellent seamanship brought the lifeboat to the vessel, and the remaining 5 crewmen were rescued.

She was launched to the aid of the Windermere of Newcastle upon Tyne, on passage from London to Yangon (formerly Rangoon), when she was driven ashore at New Romney.

[13] In a severe storm on 9 March 1891, the Sandal Magna was launched to the aid of two vessels, the Echo, and the Hugh Barclay, both of Fleetwood, in difficulties off Littlestone.