midnight
One vessel was seen burning three very large flare lights . Towards this the steamer hastened , and when as near as prudence would permit her to approach the Goodwin sands -- something less than quarter of a mile -- the hawser was again slipped , sail was made on the lifeboat , and she once more entered the broken water alone . Here , of course , being more exposed , it was still more tremendous than on the Break . It was a little after midnight when they reached the sands , and made the discovery that they were on the wrong hide of them . The tide was making , however , and in a short time there was sufficient water to enable the boat to run right over ; she struck many times , but , being tough , received no serious damage . Soon they drew near the wreck , and could see that she had sunk completely , and that the crew were clinging to the jibboom . When about fifty yards to windward , the anchor was let go , the lifeboat veered down towards the wreck , and with much difficulty they succeeded in taking off the whole crew of seven men .