THRILLING RESCUE

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1928, Page 1

THRILLING RESCUE

BY S.-S. NIAGARA. By Telegraph—-Press Assn., Copyright. AUCKLAND, Feh. 28. Further details of the picking up of the three men from a launch in distress oil' the coast hv the Niagara, are contained in a wireless message published in the "Star” from Air It. H. Gordon, who says:— A thrilling rescue was made by The Niagara, last night about ten miles off the Hen and Chicken Islands. The passengers had just finished dinner when someone called out "we are turning round, to pick tip a boat in distress.” Immediately all was excitement and the rails were lined with pepole, many in evening dress, ready for a dance that was to he held Inter. Dame Nellie Melba rushed up from her cabin, and soon everyone of the ship's big passenger list was on (leek. A strong breeze was blowing from the south west, and a rather nasty sea was running. Amid the dark wateis could he seen a lurid flare every few seconds. Slowly the liner swung round and headed for the signal of distress. A smart hit of seamanship by Captain Hill brought the big ship within a few yards of what proved to be a fishing launch, tossing helplessly about In tbe trough of a fairly heavy sea running. Tt was 7.55 when the Second Officer, Air R. N. Turner, sent a note down from the bridge stating that signals of distress were observed, and by 8.15 p.m. the ship was alongside the occupants of the launch, dimly seen in the gathering darkness, who cried nut that their engine was disabled and that they had lost their sails, and the launch was unmanageable. A lifeboat in charge of Chief Officer McDonald with seven men was rapidly lowered and quickly reached the 'tossing derelict. Tt was as smart a hit of boat work as one could hope to see. There wore three men in the doomed launch. One ol them seemed disinclined to leave. ‘‘Jump for it. said Air AlcDonald. who saw the case was hopeless. The fishermen then abandoned the launch, grabbing a tew odds and ends of clothing. The names of the rescued men are: John Buchan (Auckland), married, acted about 45 ; Norman Blackburn (Aratamata), married, aged about 55: Cyril Ledger (Auckland), aged about 19. dingle. AYithin fifteen minutes of being launched the lifeboat was alongside the Niagara again, and the three weary-looking figures clambered up the rope ladder. Tile passengers who had been running from side to side, following the rescue, loudly cheered the rescuers and rescued. It was a neat bit of work all through and the strong breeze and darkness made the incident all the more thrilling. Well, said Captain Hill, after the men had been given some hot food, and were taken up to his cabin, 1 shall have to take you on to Sidney, to which one of the fishermen replied with a laugh, ‘‘Well, that’s better than going to Davy Jones’ locker." Tt was a hard fight for them. Ml tlieir savings and years of work had to be abandoned. There was no chance of salving the-launch, which was practically a new boat, worth about £IOOO. and only insured for £375.