HMS Cape Comorin– Silver Medal Service  

At 3.45am 12th Nov 1939, the RNLB Mary Ann Hepworth was launched with Coxswain James Murfield in command to the reports of a ship close under the East Cliff at Whitby 200 meters east of the East Pier. The weather conditions at the time were fog and a large waves breaking heavily on to the rocky shoreline and it was one hour before high water.

On reaching the East Cliff, Cox Murfield found HMS Cape Comorin, a minesweeper with a crew of 18 were hard ashore in the heavy surf with waves breaking over her 30 meters from the cliffs. The Coastguards were on the Cliff above the vessel and as the vessel was so close to the shoreline the Coastguards were able to illuminate the stranded vessel with searchlights.

The Cape Comorin had ‘live’ depth charges attached to her stern so great care had to be taken not to run the Lifeboat on to the stern of the stricken vessel. Because of the rocky bottom, the Lifeboat couldn’t be anchored so the Coxswain drove Lifeboat bow in first alongside the vessel’s wheelhouse. Ropes were thrown between the vessels and eleven of the Minesweepers crew managed to climb aboard the Lifeboat before a wave washed the two boats together taking away the Lifeboat’s handrails and side windscreen, the Coxswain was knocked over the wheel and the Lifeboat was filled with water. The Coxswain quickly gained controlled again and brought the Lifeboat alongside the Minesweeper again rescuing the remainder of the crew.

All eighteen crew were saved.      

The Coxswain remaining aware of the dangers that the live depth chargers posed, cautiously worked the Lifeboat out stern first away from the wreck and clear of the rocks without touching anything. The Chief Coastguard who was on the Cliff top holding one of the searchlights saw the whole rescue and was amazed by the skill of the Coxswain as he had been of the opinion that the Lifeboat would not be able to reach the Minesweeper in the sea conditions.

The Chief Engineer from the Minesweeper had stood on the stern of the Minesweeper holding a light to guide the Lifeboat in; he was continued struck by the seas and wondered ‘what it was like in the little boat below’ He could see the two mechanics at their engines under the Lifeboat’s canopy up to their necks in water….’

He watched in admiration the way in which the Lifeboat was handled and that not a voice was heard except the Coxswains giving orders.    

For this service which was described ‘as a most skilful and courageous handled rescue’, Coxswain Murfield received the RNLI’s Silver medal. Acting 2nd Coxswain John Dryden who at previously retired from the crew but had volunteered to severe again on the Lifeboat at the age of 61 due to the war taking away younger crew received a Bronze Medal. Mechanic Philpot also received a Bronze Medal; the remaining crew, C. Wale, W. Dryden, R Walker, J. Richardson & J. Hebden received Service Vellums.  

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