V.C. DEEDS RETOLD

Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1929, Page 8

V.C. DEEDS RETOLD

SKIPPER THOMAS CRISP, It.N.R. THE NORTH SEA, August 15. 1917. Off the coast of East Anglia on the afternoon of August 15, 1917, the fishing smack Nelson was pretending to trawl. She was a bait for German submarines; if one of those craft camo near her, unsuspecting, there was a chance that her 13-pounder gun might put the German out of action by suddenly opening fire at close range. Thomas Crisp, the skipper of the Nelson, came on deck. He scanned the horizon, then gave the order, “Clear for action! Submarine!” Almost before gun and motor-engine could ho manned ‘a shot was heard. Shell after shell followed, fired hv the cautious German, who would not close. The smack replied, but soon she was holed forward, below the water-line. The skipper changed course: his vessel was still under accurate fire. One shell, without exploding, passed through the side of Thomas Crisp and out through the side of the vessel. Though wounded unto death the skipper had a heartening word for one of the crew who came to tend him as he lay. In firm tones he dictated a report to be sent by the carrier (pigeon they had on board. The smack was sinking now. “Abandon ship! Throw the books overboard!” commanded the skipper. The others wanted to take him into the boat, hut he knew that lie was past all aid and would not let them wait. They rowed clear ofv the smack. Then, as darkness fell, the Nelson and Thomas Crisp went down together.