S.G.M. 'On the night of 16 November 1931, the Newfoundland Schooner Ria, of St. John's, was in distress in the North Atlantic Ocean. For several days the vessel had encountered stormy weather, which had carried away the sails, and by 16 November, the Ria was leaking badly. Her signals of distress were observed about 9.30 p.m. by the S.S. Aztec, of Bristol, which altered course towards her. A rough sea, with a high confused swell, was running and the wind was blowing at a gale force; and in view of the unfavourable conditions, the Master of the Schooner did not expect a rescue to be attempted before daylight. The Aztec, however, at once took up a position to windward in order to launch a lifeboat. Difficulty was experienced and several oars were lost or broken in sending away a lifeboat. Further difficulty was encountered in getting the boat alongside the Ria, but the distressed crew of six hands was eventually taken off and transferred to the Aztec' (P.R.O. Board of Trade files refer).