Clovelly, Devon. At 6.30 on the morning of the 8th August, 1961, a local fisherman called attention to the fact that a small motor boat, which had left the harbour on a routine visit to visit lobster pots, was no longer in sight. A north-north-westerly gale was blowing with a rough sea. By the use of binoculars the boat could be seen south-east of Clovelly and was con- sidered to be in a dangerous position.

At 7.25 the life-boat William Cantrell Ashley was launched on an ebbing tide. She reached the boat, which was the fishing boat B.D.26 of Clovelly, about two miles south-east of Clovelly.

She took her in tow and brought her back to the harbour entrance, where the fishing boat was anchored until the weather and tide allowed her to enter the harbour. The life-boat returned to her station at 8.45..