Dramatic Moments. A NORTH SEA HERO

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 104, 26 January 1935, Page 13

Dramatic Moments. A NORTH SEA HERO

The courage of the British East' Coast seamen in the terrible days of the Great War- has won many tributes. At a time when death was in the waters, and when, to add to the common dangers of fishing in little boats, there were mines lurking no man knew here, it needed no small daring to run from harbour and go to the fishing grounds. A small fishing fleet was in the North Sea when in the cold light of early morning, a sudden flash and terrific roar announced that a mine had been struck. It was at once seen ’hat one of the boats had been blown up, but the men on board another best quickly turned to the place—dimly seen in the grey light—in the hope of picking up any survivors. Suddenly a man was seen winging to a spar. All speed was made to him, and the skipper of the boat kepi his eye on the single survivor. Once he thought he saw him wave his arm Once he thought he was signalling. Then, to his amazement, he saw him deliberately push the spar from him, and dlsap- ’ pear. He had not slipped from the spar. He had deliberately let go his hold. A moment later the boat was turned aside in the very nick of time to avoid something bobbing up and down in th'e water, a German mine. Then the truth flashed on them—the man who had let go the spar had done so to warn them of the mine. He had given his life to save theirs.