Volume Eleven - Pre-Victorian to the Present Day - some more aspects - Built with Pride at the Penarth Shipbuilding Company - s.s. 'Aira Force' - 1890 . . .

1914 - Steamer's Plight - The steamer Hayle, which arrived at Swansea yesterday, reported having in tow the steamer Seaforth, of Bristol. Owing to the violence of the gale the tow rope twice snapped, and the Hayle was ultimately compelled to leave the Seaforth in Lundy Race. - The Cambria Daily Leader [816] [361] 23rd February 1914.

1914 - In Storm's Teeth -  Crippled Steamer's Plight - Refuge Found at Swansea - Thrilling Experiences - The coasting steamer Hayle, of Hayle (Cornwall), which arrived at the North Dock Basin, Swansea, on Sunday afternoon's tide, had some exciting experiences earlier in the day when in the height of a hurricane she had to abandon the s.s. Seaforth, of Bristol, which she was towing.

The Hayle sighted the Seaforth, which had had her engines broken down, about 15 miles off Padstow. This was at half-past five on Saturday evening. The Seaforth was taken in tow after considerable difficulty had been experienced in getting the tow-rope aboard, on account of the gale blowing. For twelve miles she was towed in the teeth of the storm, when the tow rope parted.

In the darkness the Hayle, after three-quarters of an hour's manoeuvring, managed to get another rope aboard, the sea running high and threatening both vessels.

When the tow-rope had been again secured the Hayle, which was bound for Swansea, brought the Seaforth up Channel another 13 miles, when the rope again parted. The conditions at this time - half-past one o'clock on Sunday morning - were such that it was impossible to get another rope aboard or launch the ship's boats. Consequently the Hayle had to abandon the Seaforth in Lundy Race.

Captain Clemence, of the Hayle, put into Ilfracombe and told them of the Seaforth's position. Seen subsequently at Swansea, Captain Clemence said it was the worst night in his experience, and he never wished to have another like it. The seas washed over both vessels, and it was as much as he could do to breast the gale.

"The Seaforth," he said, "was helpless with her broken-down engines, and it was with the greatest difficulty that they could secure her. The ropes parted twice, and it would have been madness to have tried to launch a boat."