MAINMAST SNAPS IN TALL SHIPS RACE St. Peter Port, Guernsey. On the 14th August, 1962, the 50-foot auxiliary gaff yawl Duet had been taking part in the Tall Ships Race and was about twentyfive miles off the west coast of Guernsey on the way to Rotterdam when the mainmast snapped. A strong southwesterly wind approaching gale force was blowing with a rough sea. The crew of the escorting frigate H.M.S. Keppel saw what had happened, and the frigate was alongside within five minutes. At 9.10 a message was received at the harbour signal station asking for the help of the St. Peter Port life-boat, and at 9.30 the life-boat Euphrosyne Kendal put out on the ebbing tide. She made towards St. Martin's Point, and after rounding the point set a course for the Duet, which was about twenty-five miles west of Les Hanois. The Duet was making progress by using her engine, and she was met by the life-boat about fifteen miles from the island. H.M.S.

Keppel had meanwhile been standing by the Duet and continued to do so until one o'clock, when the life-boat took her in tow. Searchlights from the frigate helped the tow to be secured, a difficult task in the rough seas. St. Peter Port was finally reached at 4.35 in the morning and the Duet was secured at the spur.

The life-boat crew came ashore and were given tea by the local branch of the W.V.S. The life-boat finally reached her station at five o'clock. The owner of the Duet made a donation to the branch funds..