Ilfracombe, Devon. At two o'clock on the afternoon of the 9th of March, 1960, the life-boat Robert and Phemia Brown was launched with the district engineer on board for an engine trial in a moderate easterly wind and a choppy sea. It was one hour before high water.

When the boat was off Hangman Point the motor trawler Deo Gratias was seen drifting. The life-boat made for the trawler and found that she had lost her rudder. The Deo Gratias, which was skippered by a former life-boat cox- swain and had two other men on board, was taken in tow to Ilfracombe harbour, which was reached at 4.30. Rewards to the crew, £9 ; rewards to the helpers on shore, £12 17s..