Barmouth, Merionethshire. At 7.15 on the evening of the 3rd of April, 1959, the life-boat The Chieftain was returning to her station after a routine exercise when a message was received from the coastguard that a small dinghy was in difficulties off Barmouth Pavilion. It was cloudy with light easterly airs, and there was a heavy ground swell. The life-boat found a rowing boat, with three people on board, trying to tow the dinghy, whose engine had failed.

The rowing boat was making no headway against the heavy swell and strong ebb tide. The man aboard the dinghy and the three people in the rowing boat were transferred to the life-boat. The life-boat then took the two boats in tow, reaching the harbour at eight o'clock. Rewards to the crew, £6 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 16s..