In 1939, the crew of the lifeboat Mary Ann Hepworth faced fog and a heavy swell to rescue 18 men from the minesweeper HMMS Cape Comorin. Close to the cliffs and pounded by waves, it only took only 40 minutes for the lifeboat to save the whole crew.

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On a dark, foggy night on 12 November 1939, the minesweeper HMMS Cape Comorin grounded in foaming white water, less than 90 metres from Whitby’s cliffs.

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The lifeboat launched at 3.30am. The wreck was lying below the Coastguard station, enabling the District Officer to keep his searchlight trained on her. Coxswain James Murfield, unable to anchor, used his engines to stay alongside the minesweeper. Despite being tossed around by huge waves, the lifeboat men saved all 18 of the ship’s crew – the whole rescue taking only 40 minutes.

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For his tremendous courage and bravery, the RNLI awarded a Silver Medal to Coxswain James Murfield. Acting Second Coxswain John Dryden and Motor Mechanic James Philpott were each awarded a Bronze Medal.