SWIM FOR LIBERTY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 9020, 6 December 1907, Page 1

SWIM FOR LIBERTY.

Quite iu the old style of romance was the narrative related by a Russian seaman, named Gcdart, after ho had been admitted to the Royal Cornwall Sailors’ Home at Falmouth. His adventures started iu South America. Ho was staying iu a boardinghouse iu Rosario, aud the proprietor gave him a glass of wine. It must have been drugged, for he lost consciousness, aud on regaining Ids senses ho found himself on the high seas on hoard the Italian barque Regina, the captain of which vessel declared that he had paid the boarding house proprietor a certain sum for a sailor. As matters turned out, Gedart found that ho had been “Shanghaied”—a nautical term for being placed iu a vessel by force. Protests wore of no avail, aud Gedart tried to make the best of matters, making up his mind to leave the ship ai, the first opportunity. But when the Regina arrived in Falmouth Harbour the young Russian was not allowed to go on shore, aud so, with the top of a small table aud a couple of life buoys, he made a miniature raft. Watching Ids opportnutiy, at i) o’clock one night ho threw this frail craft into the sea aud leaped after it. To Ids great dismay he found his raft weuld not boar his weight. It was impossible to get hack to the Regina without being discovered, aud he at once made up his mind to swim for his life, aud struck out for the nearest vessel, which happened to he the French barque Bidart, anchored several thousand yards from the .Regina. For four hours the young sailor battled with the heavy swell which prevailed, but at last he reached the side of the Bidart, and cried for assistance. A rope wasl thrown to him, aud lie was hauled ou board iu a terribly exhausted condition. The French crew treated him most hospitably, aud, after partially drying Ins clothes, launched their boat aud took him ashore. At the Sailors’ Homo the tale was investigated, aud found to bo correct. He was provided with dry clothing, aud soon recovered from the effects of his long immersion. He states that during tiie time he was iu the water lie experienced terrible sufferings from the cold, whilst he was greatly hampered by the strong tido that he had to battle against. Mr Howard Oox, the Russian ViceConsul at Falmouth, when interviewed, said that the Shanghaiing of sailors iu South American ports was a common occurrence. If Gedart had completed the voyage to the port of destination he might have been able to claim his wages. Having broken the voyage, however, at Falmouth, he had no legal claim, nor did Mr Oox think it possible to bring an action for damages against the captain of the vessel iu an English Court. The Russian seaman lias been supplied wtih money by charitable people, aud his fare paid by the Shipwrecked Mariners’ Society to Cardiff, whore ho hopes to got a berth on a ship. Attired in a Norfolk 'suit of light Harris tweeds which had been procured for him; Gedart is the hero of the day at the Cornish port. Ho speaks English well, aud told his story to many curious visitors. Gedart, however, is disappointed that he cannot get redress for having been ‘ ’Shanghaied, ” or compel the captiau to pay him any wages for three mouths’ work, “In England,” ho remarked, “I thought people could get all wrongs righted. ’ ’