Chased By an Alligator.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 25 November 1913, Page 4

Chased By an Alligator.

The inquest 011 John ltowell, who was drowned in the Darling Harbour on October 31, brought out some interesting- facts regarding the pluck of William Stack, who tried to effect a rescue. Stack had brought to shore Howell's companion, a coal-lumper named Joe Mannon, but Howell sank, and Stack dived for two hours before the body was recovered. The Pyrmont waterfront has been the (■raining place of a host of good swimmers. Eew have turned their early exercise to better advantage than William Stack who is now n seaman on board the Adelaide Co.'s collier Pam. Eight years ago he pluckily saved a man from drowning. He was then engaged on the coastal steamer Pyrmont. While at Tareo late at niglit he heard a splash, localising that someone had fallen overboard he plunged in and brought to shore an old man who turned out to be the local publican- He was coming on board, but was dazzled by the lights, missed his footing and fell into the river. Stack was handsomely entertained at the hotel that night and to this day he is one of the most welcome visitors to the sons of the old publican. Three or four years later, whilst working on board the steamer Sphene Stack rescued from drowning a coal lumper \vho_ dropped over the boat at Milson s Point, while he also brought ashore another coal-lumper named Harry Barnes, who had fallen in while coaling the P. and (). liner Moldavia at Circular Quay. Stack is about 28 years ol age, but he has had many adventures. Some years ago. while engaged oil' Lucinda Point, on the Queensland coast, lie nearly lost his own life while saving another. He and two companions were launching one of the ship's boats, when the steamer lurched, and all three fell into the water, which was infested with alligators. Stack managed to hold up one ol his mates, who could not swim, until help arrived from the vessel, but the other poor fellow torn to pieces by an alligator. Another was fn pursuit, and only a few yards away when Slack clambered aboard with his burden.