PADSTOW, CORNWALL. — The coastguard at Trevose Head, on the night of the 22nd February, reported that a large steamer was in distress five miles to the north and that she was burning signals for assistance. The tug Helen Peele, with the Life-boat Edmund Harvey in tow, at once proceeded to sea, and about half an hour after midnight reached the steamer, which proved to be s.s. Martha of Copenhagen. She had sustained damage to her machinery, and the captain requested the Life-boatmen to stand by him throughout the night.

This they did, and after temporary repairs had been effected, finding that a tug only was then required to tow the steamer to Swansea, they decided to return home. Padstow was reached at 11.15 A.M. next morning, the Lifeboatmen having been exposed to the fury of a S.W. gale and rough and cold weather for thirteen hours..