Twenty-one of the fishing cobles were at sea on the 17th April when a heavy ground swell got up and increased as the tide ebbed, making it quite unfit for the cobles to take the harbour. Between 8 and 9 A.M.

the fishing fleet commenced to gather in the roads; the No. 2 Life-boat John Fielden was therefore launched and warned them not to come in. Seven of the cobles then set sail for Runswick, but the other fourteen remained at anchor, with the Life-boat in attend- ance, until the tide turned. She then accompanied them into safety..