On the 31st of August, 1863, a large ship without masts, which afterwards proved to be the Conflict, an old sloop of war, of 2,000 tons, bound from Plymouth to Bristol, in ballast, to be broken up, was observed in tow of a steam-tug off Budehaven, on the north coast of Cornwall. The wind was blowing a heavy gale from the N.W. at the same time, and the tug having hoisted a signal for assist- ance, the Budehaven life-boat was launched through a very high surf, and proceeded to their aid. On arriving alongside, the gale having somewhat moderated, it was decided that the owner, who was on board, should alone proceed to the shore in the life-boat, in order to proceed to Bideford and telegraph for the assistance of another steamer. This was done, the owner landing safely at Bude- haven, and the ship having been brought to an anchor, the tug was enabled to leave her at high water, and run into the harbour for a further supply of coal, and on the following morning she again took the Conflict in tow, and proceeded with her to Bristol.

This was the first occasion on which this life-boat had been called on to perform a service, she having only recently been pre- sented to the NATIONAL LIFE-BOAT INSTI- TUTION, and placed at Budehaven. She was reported to have behaved admirably on the occasion,