HEROIC LIFEBOATMEN.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 345, 15 January 1918, Page 2

HEROIC LIFEBOATMEN.

UNDAUNTED RESCUE WHEN BOAT IS USELESS. Extraordinary heroism wa9 recently shown by Deal lifeboatmen in one of the worst gales on record. Two large lighters sheltering in one of the roads were seen driving to the shore opposite the lifeboat station.

The coxswain of the boat summoned his crew, but the lighters drove ashore so quickly that the anchors, which were dragging, became entangled in the lifeboat's falloff warps, which are laid on the sea bed for the purpose of hauling the lifeboat afloat in rough weather. As the lighters drove before the gale they tore up these warps, thus rendering the lifeboat useless. The undaunted lifeboatmen put on their lifebelts and launched a smaller boat. Wading waist deep in the breakers, they pushed off their light craft, which could only accommodate six men. •

They managed, at great pdifil, to get alongside the lighters, which were driving ashore and bumping together. Taking off six members of the lighters' crews, thoy landed them at a point further north. The crews and their rescuers were landed some difficulty by the crowd which had assembled.