Plymouth, Devon. At 1.10 on the afternoon of the 23rd of March, 1958, the Queen's harbour master informed the coxswain that the coaster Lapwing, of London, was drifting out of control with engine failure six to seven miles south-south-east of Rame Head. At 1.40 the life-boat Thomas Forehead and Mary Rowse put out in a rough sea.

There was a strong east-south-easterly gale, and the tide was flooding. Wire- less contact was made with the Lapwing, and when the life-boat reached the coaster, her master asked the coxswain to stand by. Later Admiralty tugs arrived on the scene, but it was not until the Lapwing had drifted well into Whitsand Bay that the tug Superman succeeded in getting a tow wire aboard and began towing. On reaching the sound the coaster's master thanked the life-boat crew. The life-boat reached her moorings at 6.45. Rewards to the crew etc., £22 5s..