Capt. Evans’ Gallantry.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 January 1923, Page 4

Capt. Evans’ Gallantry.

I HO AY HE SAVED 1000 LIVES. I I LONDON, November 20. I “1 only did my job; we must not forget the bravery of others concerned in the rescue. There was something to be done and wo did it.” This was the reply of Captain E. G. R. Evans, partner of Sir Ernest Shackletmi, and later the eouunnndei of H.M.S. Broke of Dover Straits renown, yesterday when he was presented with a special gold modal struck by Lloyd’s, to commemorate his gallantry. Air A. L. St urge (chairman of Lloyd’s), in making the presentation, said that on the night of March 3. 1921. the steamer ITong Moll, carrying 1100 Chinese coolies, struck mi the rocks north-east of Hong Kong. Af the time Captain Evans was in command of H.M.S. Carlisle, and received a wireless S.O.S. Steaming at full speed the Carlisle, arrived at the rocks, where the steamer had been wrecked. The sea "'as rough and the weather stormy, hut a lmat was launched. Captain Evans himself took charge, hut it was found impossible to get- the boat alongside the wreck, hut was in imminent dancer of being dashed to j pieces against it. Eventually Captain Evans got on deck, and made fast the lino he had brought and the survivors | were hauled on hoard the boat, back . to which Captain Evans swain. ! Eater, while the boat was crowded ' with refugees, it was diseove'ml that ' a rope had fouled the propeller, and j there was great danger that, the boat, would he swamped. Again Captain Evans rose to the emergency. He divI ed overheard, end after hard voik the ’ propeller was released and the motor hoar was able to return to the Carlisle. • “They succeeded in saving every living i man from the ■wreck,’.’ added Mi' : Sturge amidst a storm of cheering. 1 Captain Evans received a great ovation as ho stopped forward to receive the medal, and in a modest speech of thanks he paid tribute to his brother officers and members of the crew.