A NOBLE ACT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 946, 4 June 1880, Page 3

A NOBLE ACT.

A noteworthy incident which occurred in one of the late gales, not far from Peterhead, is recorded in a home paper :—A Swedish schooner was there driven on the rocks, and thence to tho beach, where she stranded, the sea making a clean breach over her. By means of the Manby rocket apparatus a line was flung on board, but the crew either did not know what to do with it or were paralysed by fear and cold. Seeing this a noble fellow named George Oatley, a gunner’s mate, and drill instructor to the Naval Reserve at Peterhead, stripped and svvarrt out to the vessel through the breakers. He reached her in safety, made fast the line, and then put on a few clothes which iho crew gave him, after which he sent the crew—who numbered five in all—ashore in a cradle, one after the other. Last of all he came hack himself, and as his form, cut and bleeding from contact with the rocks, and benumbed with cold, was drawn to bind, the crowd of spectators who had witnessed the gallant deed cheered him to the echo, lie was pressed to take some brandy, but refused, saying bo was a teetotaler ; and ou being told that be would die if ho did not take it, he replied that he would sooner die than take it. He did not take it, and he is as well again as ever he was. Oatley is 30 years of a.ga, lias been in the Royal Navy for 20 years, and lias the China and Abyssinian medals The Duke of Edinburgh has marked Ins appreciation of bis gallant conduct by recommending him for the Albert medal of the Hint class. The Earl of Errol, whose seat is near Peterhead, has started a subscription as a testimonial to him, and the movement was officially taken in band by the Provost and Council of that town, who have received many donations from all parts of the country.