A SWIM FOR LIFE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 161, 31 March 1916, Page 1 (Supplement)

A SWIM FOR LIFE.

In January 4, 1911, on the steamer "Milton" arriving at Boston, h.or master, Captain Egan, reported that .t Danish seaman anmed Hendrick Anderson, of Copenhagen, whom lie shipped at Buenos Ayres, liad disap pea rod early one morning whiV at sea. The steamer " Nolisement," outward hound from Barry to Buenos Ayres, had passed the "Milton" homeward hound, and at 9.30 the same day the quartermaster reported that he could see what looked lik e a man swimming ahead and making s'gnals to the ship. The vessel's course was altered, and on the man being picked up, he said he had been in the water for five and ahalf hours. Of Danish nationality and 22 years old, the rescued man, through an interpreter, stated that he was a seaman on hoard the "Milton," and at 4 a.m., while h.e was sitting on tne deck, the ship gave a sudden lurch, anil ho was thrown overboard. His disappearance was evidently not noticed, and, despite his despairing shouts, he saw the "Milton" disappear. He did not lose heart, but started swimming steadily in the hope of a steamer picking h'm up. He was in shark-infested waters, and more than once one of these monsters came close to him, and was only scared away by his vigorous splashing. The rescued Dane was •• man of great physical strength, but he could not have sustained much longer his fight for life with the s'.iarks an] waves.