Whitby, Yorkshire.—On the morning of the 18th of January, 1956, the weather deteriorated while six local fishing boats were still at sea, and it was decided that the no. 1 life-boat should launch to escort them into the harbour. At 10.54 the life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched in a very rough sea, with a strong north-north- west gale blowing and an ebbing tide.

The life-boat escorted in the fishing boats Faith Star and Galilee and then waited for the four other boats. The Provider A, Success, Lead Us and Pilot Me arrived at intervals during the early afternoon, and they were all escorted into the harbour by the life- boat, which then returned to her station, arriving at 3.30. Rewards to the crew, £14 5s.; rewards to the helpers on shore, £2 16s..