14 DAYS IN OPEN BOAT

Hokitika Guardian, 27 September 1921, Page 1

14 DAYS IN OPEN BOAT

STORY OF TIIF SEA. AIKLBOrKNE, Sept. 10. \Yluit indomitable courage anti cliccrful optimism in the face ot‘ adversity are possessed b,v sailors’ wives can he gathered from the story (old to-day by Mrs A* Laird, wile of the second oflicer of Uie steamer Canadian ]tnportor, who was recently rescued siller having been adrift in ll;e Pacific Ocean in an ; pen boat for a fortnight. A few days ago it was reported that the Canadian Importer had l oon picked up in mid-. Pacific in a waterlogged Mm to, after she had been almost given up for lost. The Canadian Importer was on a voyage from Vancouver to Melbourne, hv way of Now Zealand, and encountered a fierce ImrHeano, which caused such havoc on hoard that all hope of saving her was abandoned.

Being mainly loaded will) Oregon timber, however, the ship remained afloat, in spite of the fury ol wind ami sea. However, the position became so alarming that a lifeboat, manned l»v in men. under (lie command of Second OHicer Alfred Laird, was despatched in the direct ion'of the (.olden Cate, San Francisco, hundreds of miles away, in the hope of obtaining assistance lor their companions. T!ie boat and ils crew were picked up by a tug which was going to the assistance of the disabled steamer. The men seemed none the worse for their experience, though they had been so long adrift on meagre rations, am! must have suffered the pang* ot hunger ami thirst.

Commenting on the occurrence, Mrs Lair, the wife of tin* second oflicer, stated that she felt little or no anxiety in regard to the salety of her husband or the ship until the report was published saying that he had lelt the ves-

"I have been long enough married to a sailor.” she said, “and know enough about siiips to know that one loaded with timber is the neaies; to the unsink.ible ship there is a lion l. “Even when I heard his I cal was missing.” she continued, “although I felt anxious. I felt sure he would turn up f»ly. This is not the lirst mishap whi( h has befallen him. He has had a most adventurous career, and adventurous careers fot men would mean manv anxious moments lor the women if they allowed them elves to worry. However, we don’t let wort v gel us down. ••i.ike other sailors. M.: Laird "as ( .„g:.g,.,l „n w- -D I'"vl 'g ,hin,,oi' zone .luring ih>- uni ; i,”- * ' ,I V., li-l "i ' 1',,,- m-:ii l\ nvi-lvc • non l 1 ,s. Inn I"’ * '*■" " ‘ np snlelv. :is ■.,> fell lent he would. A sniloi's wife who , nu.gi nes thilt l:«*r hush;,ml will mu null thr.ms'l, low u locks mill luishup- v. dll,l „io\ More roui-hiio.-. old au> - . PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES.

Pi, mi 111 rt 1 ic-r oouvorsation it was 11Si,mod ih;ii Mr l.aird hud so, urod a job ii-dinro Iho h.nrt's do-iro d all sail,,i s’ wives -a low years ago. bill lhe |,„ v ~)• iho sea tuck him alloat fignm. lie lias a, liny as cargo sitporinloud--1-111 lor the Canadian ( invorunionl Line ill Sydney nri.ir t" a, .online us prose,,) position. Durinp; lln> war mo -ii Russia and .lapan ho was oni|,l,■ vo< 1 ,m a voss,-I imming tho IdookTho shin was • untun'd and Ic ami his shipmates wore imp, '->!'>■,l !».v tho .lapan,no, nftor iho nun-tor had run the ship ash.nv to prevent her ia Hi no ini,l t lie hands el the enptois. On aim)hor necasiun Mr Lend was employed on a sailing, vessel whieh , ame to ..riel in the South Sea Islands. In view ol the lad that tin- llh'hoal on which Mr Laird Idh .he slop picked ui) and returned io Ihe disa hle.t st,-amor, an inlore-Aing point m reeanl tll wa-es raised hv lh" nulla",appears C, he open investigate", and in f Tit ii re install,os. I mid the rid'im; ul the Merchant Shipping Ad the pnv of a seaman tease- lh - .mini, -n, he leaves shin- who. mr ... a lil'ehnat nr not. in Mr Laird s ,-g bis wa-’.es Would have ,-0u5.,l hy law from the dale that he sol <nt * 1 " 1 111 Eli,n, iseo liar if ho had made ,!„• destination. But because e 1,0 <.;iined his Rest insit inn and was able tu Coain his she made port. lag, as Mill loyally ... the “v which he Would no, have bo.m had I. land.-il. , i The sioppa.ee d ung--eoiidi: ion- ha - b -on -I' r.e U " ' hv mariners tor mam yea, -, .ml « I i little sue, .ess. In the d ; ■ inn vessels in, .vision ,s to he m. ,h in ,he Naviual i.m Am. ''ben ■ ‘ olailsos he,-mm dative, to deal w,lh this matter.