Lifeboat Journal Report: October 17th 1941: - Hoylake, Cheshire.
During the evening, the lifeboat telephone messenger saw
flares in the Hilbre Swash, bearing approximately 300° from the
life-boat house, and reported them to the coastguard. Then, at 7.32
P.M., the coastguard reported red flares two to three miles N.W. from
Hoylake look-out; the life-boat crew was assembled by messengers [since
maroons could not be fired because of war-time restrictions], and at
8.33 P.M. the motor life-boat Oldham was launched. A fresh, squally
S.W. wind was blowing, with a rough breaking sea. The [Hoylake]
life-boat, coxswain Jones, went round East Hoyle Bank, and at 9.30 P.M.
found the motor launch Constance, of Mostyn. She had been engaged in
salvage work on the wreck Nestos. Her engine had failed, and she was
leaking badly and in danger of sinking. The life-boat went alongside,
rescued the crew of seven, and landed them opposite Hoylake Baths at
10.15 P.M. Accommodation for them was found by the Women's Voluntary
Service. The life-boat was rehoused at 12.15 A.M., and a few hours
later the Constance had become a total wreck.
Further information: The SS Nestos grounded on the Hoyle bank on 2 April 1941 and broke her back. Her cargo, and then the metal of the vessel itself, were salvaged. When the coaster MV Maurita set off a mine in Hilbre Swash, nearby, and sank with all her crew lost on 12 Nov 1941, salvage work ceased. The launch Constance would have been used to survey the channel for salvage vessels approaching the Nestos, and to direct salvage activities. It was fortunate that both the Constance and the lifeboat did not set off the mine - possibly because a magnetic mine would only be set off by the magnetic disturbance from a substantial iron vessel.