M.C.C. CAPTAIN

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1929, Page 3

M.C.C. CAPTAIN

The j'I.C.C. has had many valiant captains, but it is doubtlul whether any other leader of a representative eleven can claim a more adventurous career than Harold Gilligan, states the. “Daily News.” Joining up with the R.N.A.S., Gilliiran was the pilot who took the first flight over the German Fleet. While manoeuvring over the Kiel Canal, a Zeppelin which they had traced and followed up gave the German gunners their chance, and Gilligan’s machine was struck in the radiator by a piece oil' shell. It was then a question either of landing in Holland or ol making the attempt to get back to England, but the engine failed and .they were filing into the water. For 20 minutes they were swimming about in the sea until the companion seaplane arrived. But the danger was by no means over. Owing to the extra load, they could not take off and the difficulties of the new pilot were increased by the fact that one of the wings broke. This compelled the voyagers to take it in turns, two at a time, and stand on the other wing in order to keep the damaged wing out of the water. For three days and three nights Gilligan and his companions were at the mercy of the elements, and the M.C.C. captain, although diffident of relating his adventures, is always ready to tell the story of how a pigeon saved the party from a watery grave.

Four pigeons were sent off. Three were lost and the fourth dropped dead at the feet of the coastguardsman at Yarmouth. The feathered hero, however, had completed his work and the story of rescue ends with the- skilled navigation of Commander Bannennan of H.M.S. Halcvon.