Dr. Mitchell asked the Whitby Gazette to display notices in their front windows asking for volunteers with lamps and lights of any kind.

They were needed to the patrol along The Scar and beach throughout Saturday night in case any of those on ship should jump or fall overboard, and attempt to swim for shore.

It was also felt that seeing the lights would give some small comfort to the men who were then spending their second long night on the wreck.

In response to this appeal a large number of people produced lamps and The Scar was dotted with the light, until the rising tide drove everybody off. Many people then stayed on the cliffs with their lamps still burning to make the survivors feel they had not been abandoned.

Six men did make the attempt to swim ashore but only three survived.