North Sunderland, Northumberland.

At 7.15 on the evening of the 27th of March, 1961, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary of a radio mess- age received from a local fishing boat stating that she had struck a submerged object and was making water. There was a moderate west-north-westerly wind and a corresponding sea. At eight o'clock the reserve life-boat Howard D, on tem- porary duty at the station, was launched at low water. She met the fishing boat, the Sovereign, off Beadnell Point, and escorted her to a position about a mile north-east of North Sunderland. The life-boat returned to harbour and took on board a fire pump and two firemen.

She then made for the Sovereign, and with the use of the pumps it was found possible to keep her afloat until there was enough water in the harbour for her to enter. The life-boat completed thisservice at 11.40 and remained overnight at moorings in the harbour..