MAN OVERBOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1924, Page 4

MAN OVERBOARD.

EXCITING ATTEMPT AT RESCUE. WANGANUI, Nov. 2. An anxious time was experienced on hoard the C- and J). liner Port Caroline on TT'iday night, when at tlie height of a heavy gale, off the Wanganui coast, one of the vessel’s iirenioii jumped overhoard. The lifeboat was manned, hut owing to the severity of Lho storm and the had visibility caused by heavy rain, no rescue was effected. Grave fears were entertained for the safety of the lifeboat, which was unable to return to the ship for over three hours.

The Port Caroline left Wellington for Wanganui roadstead on Thursday evening. After leaving Wellington she ran into bad weather, a heavy easterly blowing, and big seas breaking over tho vessel. At 2 p.m. on Friday Wanganui roadstead was reached. hut owing to thick weather it was deemed advisable to cruise about the coast until the weather moderated.

During tho day one of the firemen named Doyle, suffering from delirium tremens, threatened to jump overboard. Enter in tbe afternoon he said the seagulls were calling him. The ship’s doctor attended tbe man and left the patient for the purpose of procuring medicine. During his absence Doyle escaped and jumped overboard at 5.30. Almost immediately two lifebuoys were thrown into the sea. Doyle was seen in one. Evidently he was determined to die, for his next move was to clamber out of the buov and discard it.

The lifeboat, manned by nine men, including the Chief officer, was launched and endeavours were made to rescue the man. Heavy seas broke over the lifeboat, but it rode the waves well. The crew soon gave up hope of recovering Doyle, 1 but the greatest problem was whether they would he able to return to the ship. After many attempts they had almost given up hope and were almost decided to try for the shore. Another attempt was made, and after a terrific battle with wind and waves the vessel was reached. On arrival at the liner the lifeboat crew were exhausted and suffering from exposure. Tho majority were scantily clothed, (some were without hoots and others had only a slii'rt and trousers. The men attributed their safe return to the excellent seamanship of the chief officer. Mr A\\ 11. Smith, whose presence of mind ill time of dangci probably averted a serious calamity. The tremendous seas limning when the lifeboat returned prevented rehoisting to the'ilavits, and it was decided to tow it astern, and the liner proceeded slowly along the coasthn^he

direction of AVanganui. At -1 .-10 a.in. on Saturday the lifeboat broke away and was lost. The lifeboat men, with the exception of a few bruises and stiffness, appeared none the worse for their adventure. Doyle signed on the Port Caroline at Wellington on the previous Wednesday. He had been released, from giiol iii view of the fact that the vessel was shortly leaving the country. The liner arrived in AYangnnni roadstead on Saturday afternoon and commenced loading' for England. The Port Caroline has twelve passengers aboard, and will sail from here on Tuesday, direct -for Montevideo and London.