On the evening of 15 April 1954, most of Whitby’s fishing boats were still at sea in deteriorating weather and increasing danger. At 9.30pm, the lifeboat Mary Ann Hepworth launched. Ex-Coxswain Harry Richardson took command of the lifeboat in the absence of Coxswain Eric Taylor, who was in one of the fishing boats himself.

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Battling against a north-easterly gale and very rough seas, the lifeboat escorted in some of the smaller vessels, including Coxswain Taylor’s boat. Once safely inside the harbour, Taylor took over command of the lifeboat.

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Luckily the lifeboat was close by when the fishing boat Foxglove was hit by a massive wave which put her engine out of action and swept away one of her crew. Taylor took the lifeboat at full speed through the churning water to the man, who was then hauled safely onboard. Meanwhile, the fishing boat had drifted onto rocks outside the eastern breakwater.

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With superb seamanship Taylor took the lifeboat through a gap in the rocks, and after several attempts, his crew managed to rescue all three men. Within minutes, the Foxglove had broken up completely.

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For his great courage and excellent seamanship, the RNLI awarded Eric Taylor a Bronze Medal.