TIMELY RESCUE BY NIAGARA.

Levin Daily Chronicle, 1 March 1928, Page 3

TIMELY RESCUE BY NIAGARA.

helpless fishermen in LAUNCH. I DISTRESS FLARES THRO’ CATHERINE GLOOM AUCKLAND, Last Night. hurt her details of the picking up of rh 'ic mi'ii from the launch Ika in distres;, off the coast by the Niagara, are conlained in a wireless message pub.bsm d in (lie Auckland Star from Mr K. 11. Jordan, who says that a thrilhng rescue was made by the Niaga'a :ast night about ten miles off the Hen end Chickens Island. Ihe passengers had just finished dinner whi'ii some one called out, “We are turning round to pick up a boat in distress.” Immediately all was excitement and- the rails were lined with people, many in evening dress, ready for a dance that was to be held. Later Dame Melba rushed up from her cabin and soon everyone of ship’s big passenger list was on deck. Lurid Flare of Distress. A strong breeze was blowing from the south-west and a rather nasty sea was running. Amid the dark waters could be seen a lurid flare every few seconds. Slowly the liner swung round and headed for the signal of distress. A smart bit 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 the trough of the fairly heavy sea running. It was 7.55 p.m. when second officer K. N. Turner sent n note down from the bridge slating that the signals of distress were observed and by 8.15 p m. the ship was alongised. The occupants of the launch, dimly seen in the gathering dark, cried 'ml that their engine was disabled, and that they had lost their sails and the launch was unmanageable. Lifeboat Launched. A lifeboat in charge of Chief Officer M'Donald with seven men was rapidly lowered and quickly reached the tossing derelict —as smart a bit of boat work as one could hope to see. There ■were three men in the doomed launch and one of them seemed disinclined to leave. “Jump for it,” said M‘Donald, who saw the case was hopeless. The fishermen then abandoned the launch grabbing a few odds a-id ends of clocking. The Rescued. The names of the rescued men are: — JOHN BUSHAN, Auckland, married, aged about 45. NORMAN BLACKBURN, Matamata, married, aged about 55. CYRIL LEDGER, Auckland, aged about 19, single. Within 18 minutes of being launched the lifeboat was alongside the Niagara again and three weary looking figures clambered up the rope ladder. The 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 a strong breeze and dark ness 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, “I shall have to take you on to Sydney,” to which one of the fishermen replied with a laugh, “Better than going to Davy Jones Locker.” It was a hard plight for them. All their 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 onlj’ insured for £375.