SHIP BREAKS IN HALVES

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1927, Page 1

SHIP BREAKS IN HALVES

BOW DRIFTS 10 MILES. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) t LONDON, Nov. 22. f Towards nightfall the crew of tlio Georgia, who had been lashed to the , rigging for forty hours, were rescued L as the result of tho magnificent sea- ! manship of the crew of the Cromer lifeboat, which had been standing by I throughout. Fjirst details of the „ wreck were given l»y a survivor who said: “The Georgia struck on the sands at midnight on Sunday. ■ The vessel broke in half, the after part drifting away. A ear from London arrived just as the lifeboat successfully landed the men. If was not known until tonight that the ship had broken in halves. The stern was driven by the wind and waves within three miles of Cromer, where it was observed yesterday by lifeboatmen, who reported that nobody was aboard. The how part was carried sixteen miles. Tt was this section which contained the crew, hut this was not known to the Cromer lifeboatmen. who affer inspection of the deserted stern part, spent thirty-six hours searching in dangerous seas for survivors. On returning from their fruitless labours, the lifeboatmen received definite information from London that the crew of tho ship was dangerously exposed on the bow. Despite the arduous labour they had been engaged in, the lifeboat crew responded to the call, spoiled to Laisborough Sands and effected a magnificent rescue. It is not known at\ present how the ship broke in halves, hut it is thought there must have been a terrific explosion. LONDON, Nov. 23. There was no explosion when tho .Georgia went ashore, the ship simply broke her hack, as the result of her buffeting. Tho lifeboat rescue was of the most gallant character. The Georgia’s captain, paying a tribute, sa.id: “The coxswain must have been n. mail without fear. lie took no soundings, hut came straight alongside, though at any moment his limit might have been smashed against our side like an eggshell. 'The rescued men jumped for their lives; the youngest being first. All had given up hope. They had been without food or water during the whole thirty hours" they wore clinging to the wreck, and were completely exhausted by the ordeal. '