A Malay’s Adventure.

Manawatu Herald, 18 June 1904, Page 2

A Malay’s Adventure.

Captain F. H. Carr, of the ss. Asama, has reported to the Merchants Service Guild particulars of an interesting rescue effected by him. When steaming in Eastern waters his chief officer descried a small object on the water, which was soon made out as a little craft or dug-out. A man was standing up in it holding what was apparently a small bundle of fish, and he was taken to be a fisherman. He was acting in a somewhat curious manner, and finally disappeared from view. Cap. tain Carr, judging the great distance the man was away from the land, and knowing the wind and current would take him still further away, came to the conclusion that he must be in distress. He therefore shaped bis vessel’s course towards the tiny craft, threw the man a rope, and he was soon on board. Through the deck serang it was ascertained that the man was. a distressed Malay fisherman, who had lost his paddle, and had been carried away by the tide and current. He had been ten days in the frail craft, living on a few fish he had caught, and he had endeavoured to assuage his thirst by an occasional drink of salt water. He was in a very emaciated condition, but was carefully treated and brought round. The carpenter made him a new paddle, and as the vessel made Singapore roads he was given a few rupees when he cheerfully paddled away for shore.