LIFEBOAT MAGAZINE ARCHIVE

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Olive and Mary

ILFRACOMBE.—At 6 A.M. on the 8th April the Coxswain of the Life-boat Co-operator No. 2 was informed that a ketch was about six or seven miles distant in a disabled condition. He at once fired the signal to summon the crew and in six minutes the Life-boat was afloat and on her way to the vessel. She proceeded through tremendous seas, a heavy gale blowing from W.N.W., and on reaching the ketch found she was the Olive and Mary, trawler, of Brixham. She had only a jib set, her other sails having been blown to ribbons. When about forty miles W. of Lundy Island, she had encountered fearful seas, her main boom was carried away, her bulwarks were smashed, her compass destroyed, her boat was washed away, and for a time she was thrown on her beam ends. The Life-boat took her in tow, but in about half an hour the tow-rope parted. A stouter warp was then attached, and by means of this she was got into safety at 9 A.M. It being then low water, the Life-boat stood by her until about 5 P.M., when the tide had risen sufficiently to enable her to be taken into the harbour.

Her crew of four men were completely exhausted..