The ex-RN pinnace Calypso, which was escorted into Clovelly harbour at about 1.30am yesterday by the local lifeboat,

was the boat that Ilfracombe Council had said must quit the harbour there by the end of the month after complaints that flapping nappies were spoiling the view.

Owned by Mr Brian Jackson, and with his wife, two children aged 20 months and three months, and with two men friends aboard, she was on her way to Padstow when her engine failed south of Hartland Point.

Anchor was dropped and the two men rowed ashore in a dinghy to raise the alarm. The dinghy was smashed but they scrambled ashore and climbed the cliffs at Morwenstow to reach the Rectory there.

Mr Jack Prince (chairman of Clovelly RNLI) was contacted by Cornwall County Police headquarters and the lifeboat, with Coxswain William Braund in command, was soon on its way.

Before they reached the vessel – anchored about a mile offshore near Higher Sharp Nose – a helicopter from RAF Chivenor, alerted by the Hartland Point coastguards, had lowered a winchman on to her. He told that the lifeboat was on its way.

Shortly afterwards it was alongside and crew members Messrs Percy Shackson and Barry Perham were put aboard. They restarted the engine.

By mid-morning the 80 year old floating home of the Jackson family was again on its way to Padstow.

Mr Prince told the Gazette that the message that reached him was that there were two adults and two children on board. He had heard that two adults’ had come ashore and so thought the two children were on their own.

Article dated 16 July 1965