Fifteen of the fishing cobles belonging to Staithes and two belonging to Whitby had gone off in the morning of the 7th February to the fishing, when a heavy sea came on, rendering it impossible for them to reach their own ports. Owing to the men's lack of knowledge of the pecu- liarities of Runswick Bay and the danger in the heavy sea, the Coxswain of the Life-boat Gape of Good Hope launched his boat and assisted them all into safety.