During a very dense fog on the afternoon of the 7th January sound signals were heard not far from the shore, and although the weather was fine, there being only a slight ground swell, it was considered advisable to launch the Life-boat. The s.s. Highland Fling, of London, was found about fifty yards from the shore with her forepart on a sunken rock and her stern being afloat. Her crew were in the act of getting their belongings together preparatory to leaving her.

It appeared that the steamer had put into Falmouth for repair and had left with a cargo of cement, bound for Cardiff, but within two hours had stranded off Caclgwith. The master requested the Life-boat to stand by him whilst efforts were made to get the steamer off, but in spite of all attempts this was found impossible. At 10.30 P.M., it then being high water, it was decided to give up work, and the majority of the crew having proceeded to the attendant tugs, the Life-boat returned ashore.

Salvage operations were without loss of time commenced by a salvage com- pany and continued for some time but without success, and at length finding that it was not possible to float the steamer they decided to cut her into two parts and tow the stern portion, if suc- cessful, into Falmouth. This was ac- cordingly done on the 26th January, and to ensure the safety of the men on board, the captain of the salvage com- pany asked that the Life-boat might accompany the wreck whilst being towed into port. The boat was therefore launched at 2.15 P.M. that day and rendered the desired service..