The SS Vedra, a steamship carrying benzine, was lost after stranding at or about 8.30pm on 7th December 1914 about a mile South of Halfway Buoy in Morecambe Bay. Two tugs, the Walney and the Furness, and the Piel lifeboat, were sent to assist, but despite their attempts to save the ship and crew, at 3.30am on 8th December the benzine caught fire. Only two of the 36 on board were rescued. One of these unfortunately died a week later from his injuries – the sole survivor was 4th Engineer James Dixon.