Whitby, Yorkshire. On the morning of the 17th October, 1961, the local fishing fleet were at sea when a north- north-westerly gale sprang up. The life- boat Mary Ann Hepworth was launched at 11.45 in a very rough sea two hoursafter high water. She stood by the harbour bar during the afternoon until all the fishing fleet had returned safely to harbour, and was eventually re- housed at seven o'clock..