By 2 January 1952, the USS "John W. Weeks" had arrived and relieved the merchant ships. The following day, the tug "Turmoil" arrived, guided by the searchlights from USS "John W Weeks", but found it impossible to take the "Flying Enterprise" in tow. The tug's mate, Kenneth Dancy, was then transferred to the "Flying Enterprise" on 4 January, by which time the list had increased to 60 degrees. The ship was taken in tow on 5 January, when she was some from Falmouth, Cornwall. On 6 January, USS "Willard Keith" relieved the "John W Weeks" and the French tug "Abeille 25" also joined the rescue effort. The tow line parted at 01:30 on 10 January, with "Flying Enterprise" south of The Lizard and from Falmouth. Later that day, the "Turmoil" was joined by the Trinity House vessel "Satellite" and the tugs "Dexterous" and "Englishman". Carlsen and Dancy finally abandoned ship at 15:22 hrs and were picked up by "Turmoil". The "Flying Enterprise" sank at 16:10 hrs to whistle, siren and foghorn salutes from the flotilla.