DRAGGED OVERBOARD BY AN ANCHOR CHAIN.

Kumara Times, Issue 640, 16 October 1878, Page 3

DRAGGED OVERBOARD BY AN ANCHOR CHAIN.

; A sad accident occurred oh board the Bhssian man-of-war, Peter, the Great, recently in Cronstadt Harbour. The frigate was preparing,to leave the road* stead to accompany . the Kreml and Necron-Menya to the Tobbeacon light* ship to engage in gunnery practice, when, as the anchor was being raised, a link in the chain snapped, and the anchor, in plunging into the water dragged overboard a boatsman, a - petty officer, and four seamen. Boards and 'ropes and life-preservers were at once .thrown, overboard to the unfortunates, but the mflet necessary operation of all—the stopping of the engines—was entirely, forgotten, and 'the frigate, which was at the. time steaming at the rafe.pf six knots an hour, speedilv put such between herself and the drowning men that .when the; boats were lowered it. was too late to effect their, rescue;; Two; of the victims appeared to have,bpen [Carried,down lw(jh|y,,.with the anchor, for they were hever seen to rise again ; but the others floated for a time above the water, and then one by one disappeared. One .alone seemed to have had a chance of escape. By striking out vigorously he contirived to reach ' a rope attached to a. plank, hjit, unfortunately his convulsive grasp loosened the line, and he sank carrying it down with him. The Peter the. Great cruised for a time round abbot the spot in the hope of picking up some of the bodies, but being nnsuctossful, she returned to the roads, and. as soon as the anchor was lowered the crew were summoned on deck, and a funeral service held for the deceased;—Home News, August 15.