NOVEMBER 12TH. - FLAMBOROUGH, AND BRIDLINGTON, YORKSHIRE. At 5.30 at night it was reported that the Flamborough motor fishing coble Pioneer, which had been due back at three o’clock, had not returned.

A strong north-westerly wind was blowing, and the sea was rough. The Flamborough motor life-boat Elizabeth and Albian Whitley was launched at 5.50, and searched until four o’clock next morning. She did not find the coble and returned to Flamborough. As there was no news of the coble she resumed her search, until, running short of fuel, she put into Bridlington for fuel and food about nine o’clock. Leaving again about 10.15, she continued her search and eventually, about eighteen miles east-by-south of Bridlington, she saw a sail. About the same time an aeroplane saw the coble and signalled the lifeboat.

It was the Pioneer. Her engine had broken down. Her crew were three brothers.

The life-boat took them on board, put two life-boatmen in the coble, and towed her to Bridlington, arriving at four that afternoon, the 13th. The life-boat was brought back to her station next morning.

When the Flamborough life-boat first put out the Bridlington station was informed.

Later it was asked by the coastguard to help as the Bempton radar station had picked up an object which it was thought might be the missing coble, and the motor life-boat Stanhope Smart was launched at 11.35 on the night of the 12th. She made a wide search, but without success, and returned to Bridlington harbour at seven next morning. At 12.30 that afternoon the coastguard reported that the missing coble had been seen by an aeroplane, that the Flamborough life-boat was at sea and that he could not communicate with her. The Bridlington life-boat put out again at 12.50, and an hour and a half later met the Flamborough life-boat towing the Pioneer. She returned with them to Bridlington.

In recognition of the determination of the Flamborough men through this long and arduous service, an increase in the usual money award on the standard scale was made to each member of the Flamborough crew.

The parents of the three brothers expressed their thanks. - Rewards : Flamborough, standard rewards, to crew and helpers, £57 1s. 6d.; additional rewards to crew, £10 10s ; total rewards to crew and helpers, £67 11s. 6d.

Bridlington, first service, £23 8s. 6d ; second service, £9 11s. 6d. Total rewards to the two stations, £100 11s. 6d..