Delila (1)
. Aberdeen, and Newburgh, Aberdeenshire.
—Early on the morning of the 4th November, 1937, the steam trawler Delila, of Aberdeen, ran aground about a mile, south of the Belhelvie coastguard station. She was homeward bound from the fishing grounds, and carried a crew of nine. A fresh southerly breeze was blowing, and the sea was breaking heavily on shore. The weather was thick and cold. News was passed by the coastguard, and the reserve motor life-boat J. and W., temporarily on duty at Aberdeen, put out at 5.19 A.M.
The Delila's skipper said that he was awaiting a tug, and would try to refloat with the rising tide. The life-boat stood by. At noon a tug arrived, and the life-boat passed lines from her to the Delila. The Delila was towed off, but the ropes parted and she grounded again. The life-boat went close to her and the coxswain advised the skipper to run his engines full ahead. He did so and the Delila got clear. The lifeboat accompanied her to Aberdeen, and returned to her station at 3.15 P.M.
News of the stranding had been received at Newburgh also, and the pulling and sailing life-boat John and Robert C. Mercer had set out at 5.45 A.M., and had been taken by her launchingtractor some miles along the beach to the scene. She was launched at 7.15 A.M., but found that her help was not wanted, and returned ashore at 7.30 A.M. The crew stood by until it was seen that the Delila had refloated, and the life-boat returned to her station at 5 P.M.—Rewards, Aberdeen, £10 Is.; Newburgh, £27 5s..