HURLED OVERBOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 16 July 1925, Page 4

HURLED OVERBOARD

OFFICER'S MIRACULOUS ESCAPE. OA.AIARU, July 11. Those who go down to the sea in ships take their lives in their hands; and the recent storms on the New Zealand coast have provided many instances of narrow escapes from a watery grave. Chief Officer McLean, of the small steamer Gale, has a stirring tale to tell of a miraculous escape from death. The vessel had left AA’elliligton for Wanganui on Monday. June 29th, ill the afternoon. The sea was extremely rough, and just as it began to grow dark as the ship was off Karori Point particularly heavy seas were shipped.

Then came almost a catastrophe. The steering gear, worked by the engine. became jammed, and would not respond. The vessel was rendered helpless and at the mercy of the waves with every prospect of drifting on In the rocks.

The situation was desperate, and immediate steps haul to be taken to clear the alterdeek of its targe, release the chains from the steam steering gear, and steer the vessel by hand. The alterdeek was almost full of water, but Chief Officer McLean and several .-rumen had to attempt to clear L. e deck standing up to their waists in water. AA’orking desperately t'ey had almost completed their task when a huge sea came aboard and all was chaos. It was too dark for’ any oil" of the workers t-> -ee what was occurring. Each had to save hims.eli as best- he could as he swirled about in the midst of the water. .Mr McLean was hurled overboard, but ill a despairing elf-n't to save himself he clutched the rail ; and hung there with It is body suspended and lashed by the sea. Oradiudly the deck <leared: and there his mates saw him, clutching tenaciously to the rail. They also saw another senn , '‘ii. A!arc-liesoii. lying with bis leg broken. After attending to Him the heroic workers had to return to their task, which they accomplished after much painful work : and the (fide was abb- lo put. Lad io Wellington, where Mun-heson iv.i- --eiil to hospital.