Lifebelt marked 'Le Havre' from the French steam trawler 'Cité de Verdun'. With a crew of 30 the vessel went onto Rosevear, Isles of Scilly, on 22 March 1925, shortly after the lookouts had briefly glimpsed the Bishop Rock light through a heavy snowstorm. The crew built a shelter on the islet before sending up distress flares. After just three-quarters of an hour all were on board the St Mary’s lifeboat, the crew of which later received awards from the French government. The nameboard of the ‘Cité de Verdun’ was also saved and is now in the Atlantic Hotel, St Mary’s.

‘Cité de Verdun’ details at time of wreck. Steam trawler of 214 tons, registered in Boulogne. Built by de Groot & van Vliet, Slikkerveer, 1916. Dimensions (in feet and tenths): 115.5 x 22.2 x 11.0. Owner: J B Bourgain. Registered voyage: fishing. Cargo: n/a. Master at loss: not known. Wrecked: 22 March 1925.