At 10.14 a.m. on 10th November, 1968, the coastguard informed the honorary secretary that the Nonsuch, a 65-ton replica of a 17th-century Hudson Bay Company trading vessel, with a crew of seven, was in difficulties in heavy seas south west of the Lizard. The trawler Jill was escorting the vessel. The life-boat The Duke of Cornwall (Civil Service No. 33) was launched at 10.40 in a south by east gale with a very rough sea. The German vessel Sundern was standing by the Nonsuch. The life-boat came up with the Nonsuch at 12.32 p.m. eight to 10 miles south west of the Lizard light. It was decided to take her in tow to Falmouth.

Great difficulty was experienced in towing the Nonsuch and four lines parted during the operation.

One fouled the Nonsuch's propeller. The life-boat towed the Nonsuch as far as Blackhead, using the anchor wire, and here it was decided to hand the tow over to the tug Warrior. The life-boat escorted the tug Warrior, trawler Jill, and Nonsuch into Falmouth which was reached at 9.10. The owners of the Nonsuch made a gift to the life-boat crew..