As two fishing-boats belonging to the port I had not returned from fishing, and the wind was blowing hard with a very rough sea on the 24th December, the Life-boat Sarah Ann Holden was launched shortly after noon, in order to be in | readiness when the vessels came in, as i it was realised that the boats would be in considerable danger in the heavy sea.

The Life-boat lay off the harbour until the fishing-boats approached, and then accompanied each boat separately into safety..