SAVED THE SHIP

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16152, 5 March 1918, Page 4

SAVED THE SHIP

SPLENDID STORY 0]? PLUCK

LONDON, February 16. A story of the courage and resourcefulness of British merchantmen was related in a London Court during the hearing of a pse concerning tiie salvage of the sailing sJiip Ainsuale. The vessel, loaded with grain, was torpedoed off the Britisn coast twelve months ago during a gale on a rough night, thc crcw being given five minutes to leave. The men were subsequently rescued. Tho Ainsdale was supposed to have sunk, but the Glasgow steamer Uasuto sighted her six days later rolling and drifting to Icewaru. Despite the likelihood of her being a submarine decoy, John Macdonald, chief officer, and a crew of eight, boarded the Ainsdac. The only living things on her were a cat, a parrot, and. a monkey. The steering wheel had teen shot away, and the compass was broken. Q A strong wind and heavy sea precluded towing, so Macdonaid and his eight meu decided to navigate the vessel. They rigged a jury wheel and reached a Scotch port, nineteen days after the vessel had been torpedoed". After eleven days of incessant bad weather, during which the nice men did the work 0f.23 on the scantiest of rations, a tug picked them-, up and endeavoured to take them in tow- A head gale and heavy winds compelled tho tug to abandon the task, and the Ainsdale driited on. her sails having been torn to ribbons. On the following day patrol boats went out and helped to set new sails. The tug then completed' the towage. TSie Court awarded £0630. Mac<?oiia.ld'c share being £2000. the crew i'SOO each, and the tug £"2'ioo.