SAVED THE SHIP.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 April 1918, Page 1

SAVED THE SHIP.

SPLENDID STORy OF PLUCK

London, Feb 16. A storv of the courage and resourcefulness of British merchantmen was related in a London Court during the hearing of a ease concerning the salvage of the sailing ship Ainsdale. The vessel, loaded with grain, was torpedoed off the British coast twelve mfohths ago during a gale on a rough night, the crew being given five minutes to leave. The men were subsequently rescued.

The Ainsdale was supposed to have sunk, but the Glasgow steamer Basuco sighted her six days later rolling and drifting to leeward. Despite the likelihood of her being a submarine decoy, John Macdonald, chief officer, and a crew of eight, boarded the Ainsdale. The only living tilings on her were a cat, a parrot and a monkey. Tile steering wheel had been shot away, and the compass was broken.

A strong wind and heavy sea precluded towing, so Macdonald and bis eight men 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 incesssant bad weather, during which the nine men did the work of 25 on the scantiest of rations,' a tug picked them up'and endeavoured to take them in tow. A head gale and heavy winds compelled the tug to abandon the task, and the Ainsdale drifted on, her sails having been torn to ribbons. 011 the following day patrol boats went out and helped to set new sails. The tug then completed the towage. The Court awarded £9,630, Macdonald's share being Coo, the crew £Soo each, and the tug