Torbay, Devon. At 9.30 on the even- ing of the 19th of December, 1959, a local fisherman called at the coxswain's house to report that a 24-feet crab-boat, which had left harbour at two o'clock, had not returned. At 10.5 the life-boat Princess Alexandra of Kent left her moorings and made for the area in which the crabber was known to have been working. There was a moderate sea, a strong south-westerly wind was blowing, and it was one hour after high water. The coxswain could not find the boat in the area where she was expected to be and considered that if her engine had broken down she would probably have drifted towards West Bay. An extensive search was made from Torbay to Sidmouth in difficult weather conditions throughout the night, but without result. At 10.30 next morning the weather improved and an aircraft joined in the search.

The life-boat and aircraft were in con- stant contact by very high frequency radio-telephone. Just before noon a report was received from a coast- watcher at Budleigh Salterton that a small boat had been seen between five and six miles off shore. The life-boat and aircraft made for this position and the aircraft dropped a marker flare.

Shortly afterwards the life-boat went alongside the crabber and rescued the man aboard her. The boat, which had developed engine trouble, could not be taken in tow as she had by this time drifted well inshore. She became a total loss. The life-boat finally reached her station at 3.30 in the afternoon.

Rewards to the crew, £40 5s. ; rewards to helpers on shore, £2 18s..