Whitby, Yorkshire. At two o'clock on the afternoon of the 10th of Decem- ber, 1959, it was decided to launch the life-boat Mary Ann Hepworth to stand by while five local fishing vessels re- turned to harbour in very bad weather.

At 2.20 the life-boat put out in a heavy swell with a fresh easterly wind blow- ing. It was two hours after high water.

The life-boat stood by until the last vessel had entered harbour and then returned to her station, arriving at 6.30.

Rewards to the crew, £14 5s. ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £1 16s..