WENT DOWN WITH SHIP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1352, 26 January 1915, Page 4

WENT DOWN WITH SHIP.

MIRACULOUS ESCAPE OF A STOKER.

Amongst those who had miraculous escapes when the Bulwark was blown up, is Firstclass Stoker Fred. Goodlad Dufty, whose home is at Garwood Terrace, Sheffield. Dufty, who is ouly 20, is making satislactory progress in the Royal Naval Hospital at Gillingham. To his lather he described his experience. He was having breakfast, when a terrific explosion occurred. “I hadn’t time to wonder what had happened,” he said. “The boat shook and trembled, and I found myself going down with it. I did nor I know whether there would be any 1 chance of getting away, but I held I my breath and found, when below the surface, that I was free of the vessel. After a time I came up to the surface. I was almost done. I don’t believe I could have held my breath another second, and my chest felt fit to burst. On reaching the top I took several deep breaths, and had just got my wind again all right, and was just looking round, when I was sucked down again. I expect this was when the boat slid to the bottom. Fortunately, I was not caught in the wreckage or by the vessel. When I came up again I could see nothing for the great clouds of smoke, and after these had cleared away the great ship had disappeared. It gave me a terrible feeling. However, I had to look after myself, and I got hold of a hammock and held on to this until I was picked up by a boat.” Dufty says he had no idea he was badly injured while he was in the water. Fie was “numbed” by the cold water, and it was some time later when he discovered that his hands, face and feet were severely burnt. When his father saw him at the hospital he was literally swathed in bandages.