AT 4.58 on the afternoon of the 27th of July, 1954, the Hartland coastguard rang up the Clovelly life-boat station with the news that the motor ketch Progress, of Bideford, was in distress under the lee of Lundy Island. The trawler Hosanna was standing by until the life-boat could reach her.

The Progress was a motor ketch of 90 tons. Her owner, his wife and their twelve-year-old son formed the crew, and they were planning a voyage to New Zealand via the Bahamas.

Westerly Gale Blowing The life-boat William Cantrell AsHey was launched at 5.10. The sea was very rough, a westerly gale was blow- ing, and it was high water. The life- boat reached the Progress after two- and-a-half hours. The engines of the Progress were disabled and she was made fast astern of the trawler under the lee of Lundy Island. Once it was clear that the Progress was safely anchored, the Hosanna went on her way to Milford.

The owner of the Progress had injured his hand, but he decided to remain on board, and as the ketch was in no immediate danger the life-boat returned to Clovelly. She had to wait for the tide to make before beach- ing, but she was ready again for service at 4.35 on the morning of the 28th of July.

At 12.53 that afternoon the coast- guard reported that the Progress was firing distress signals and drifting to the east-north-east. At one o'clock the life-boat was launched again. The gale had veered to the north-west, and the tide was now flooding.

In order not to lose any time the coxswain made for the position through the Hartland Race. The life-boat had a rough passage, but at 3.15 she found the Progress some five miles south-east of Lundy South Light, drifting up channel. The Progress's anchor was still down, but the cable could not be worked, as the capstan was run from the engines which were out of action. She was rolling heavily.

Ten Attempts at Rescue The coxswain told the three people on board to stand by in the starboard rigging and be ready to drop into the life-boat on the starboard roll. His instructions were carried out, but time and again the life-boat was brought under the lee of the ketch and still the crew of the ketch had not been taken off. Altogether this manoeuvre was carried out ten times before the owner of the Progress, his wife and son, a cat, some new-born kittens and a canary were taken on board the life-boat. By then it was 4.15 and the life-boat began the return journey to Clovelly. She reached Clovelly at 7.50 in the evening.

When the weather improved the Progress was picked up by the Hosanna and towed to Milford Haven.

For the skill, seamanship and courage which he displayed under very difficult conditions. Coxswain George Lamey was awarded the bronze medal.

Total rewards for these services amounted to £51 7s. 6cL.