ON the morning of the 15th of April, 1954, the weather at Whitby, which was already bad, became steadily worse. The local fishing fleet was at sea, and at 9.30 the No. 1 life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched.

Ex-Coxswain Richardson was in com- mand, as the regular coxswain, Eric Taylor, was himself at sea in his own boat.

The sea was very rough and a gale was blowing from the north-north- west. The life-boat escorted in some of the smaller boats, and Coxswain Tavlor himself entered the harbour un-escorted in his keel boat. This was at 10.20, and he thereupon took over command of the life-boat.

The harbour entrance was now becoming more dangerous, and two fishing boats, Easter Morn and Fox- glove, were warned by the life-boat of the dangers in front of them. The Easter Morn entered the harbour safely, but near the harbour entrance the -Foxglove was hit by a heavy sea.

It carried away her drogue and par- tially flooded her wheel-house and engine-room, putting the engine outof action. One member of the crew was swept into the sea.

Weighed Seventeen Stone The life-boat made for the Foxglove at full speed, and fortunately the cox- swain and bowman saw the man who had been swept overboard. The man managed to hold on to the life-boat's outside life-line. In his oilskin and sea- boots he weighed seventeen stone and he was not wearing a life-belt, but with considerable difficulty the crew man- aged to haul him on board the life-boat.

Meanwhile the Foxglove, which had let go two anchors, had drifted and dragged on to the rocks to the east- ward of the east breakwater. There were still three men on board, one of whom was seventy years old.

The coxswain brought the life-boat at reduced speed through a gap in the rocks. Several times she touched bottom. By manoeuvring the engines, the coxswain laid the bow of the life- boat at right angles to the fore part of the Foxglove, but at the first attempt none of the crew of the Foxglove was taken off.All Three Rescued The coxswain then went astern at full speed to seaward and came along- side again. This time all three men were taken on board the life-boat, which was again brought through the gap in the rocks to the harbour. The Foxglove broke up completely shortly afterwards.

The life-boat landed the crew of the Foxglove and then resumed her duty of escorting fishing boats. The last of the fishing boats entered harbour about three o'clock, and the life-boat re- turned to her station at 3.30.

For the determination, initiative, sound judgment and good seamanship which he showed, Coxswain Eric Taylor was awarded the bronze medal of the Institution. Motor Mechanic William Dryclen was accorded the thanks of the Institution inscribed on vellum. Additional monetary rewards of 3()s. each were made to the nine members of the crew. Total rewards amounted to £«50 10s..