AN OCEAN RESCUE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1076, 15 March 1911, Page 8

AN OCEAN RESCUE.

SAILOR'S REMARKABLE SWIM. A remarkable story of a rescue at sea was told _by Captain R. Young, of the steamer Nolisemont, which arrived at Melbourne recently from Buenos Ayrcs, via Albany. It appeal's that the Nolfcement commenced her voyage from Cardiff, and when about 58 miles south-west of St. Vincent, ot 9.30 a.m. on November 8,. the look-out man heard screams coming from the water some distance • ahead on tho port bow. He could see nothing, however, and reported tho matter to Captain Young. "I expect it was a big bird," said the captain, "but wo will investigate." Ho then his binoculars and swept the ocean with them in the direction the look-out man indicated. "Good heavens!" he ejaculated, "it is a man swimming." A boat was launched, and the stranger, who was nude, was brought aboard in a very exhausted condition.

"I thought you were going to pass me," ho gasped. After receiving nutriment and being stowed comfortably in a bunk lie told his story. •. "My name is Hcndrick Andersen," ho said. "I am 21 years of age, and a native of Copenhagen. I am one of the crew of the steamer -Milton " ("We passed her early this morning," interposed one of the o.Cccrs.)

"Yes, I suppose you would," said Andersen; "she was steering for St. Vincent. At i o'clock this morning I came on watch, and sat on the ship's rail. A sudden roll of the vessel threw me overboard, and when I'rose to the surface I could see her masthead lights disappearing ahead of me. I screamed and yelled, but it was of no avail—sho had gone right ahead, and in no time, the thud of her screw had faded away, and her lights with it."

We realised what the poor • fellow's feelings must have been, said Captain Young. Tbero was no need to question him. ....

"I don't remember what happened for a long time." Andersen said, "but my earliest recollection is a struggle I had to get my shirt off. My other clothing must have been torn off in a trance. I do not remember getting it off. But the shirt clung to me, and in my struggles with it I was cut severely undrr the armpits. I lore it from mo in strips. I am a good swimmer, and for a long time I struck out steadily, swimming hopelessly, but doing my best for life. Then I began to tire, and I decided to float.,'. I did, soi| but not for long, before I was attacked by fish. They bit at my arms and legs: vou will see the marks there now. As lon<* as I kept moving I was not trouble'! with them. I saw the day dawn, and it seemed to me to be years after when I saw you coming ab"g. I could not have lasted much lonrcer."

. That was his story, sm'd Captain Twins, and we landed Mm in Buenos Ayres. The cantflin of Hie Milton subsequently reported his loss at sea.