CLUNG TO BOAT’S KEEL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 5, 31 December 1912, Page 8

CLUNG TO BOAT’S KEEL.

CREW’S FIGHT FOR LIFE, Flung into the sea from the Belfast steamer Tenet, which turned turtle m a squall in St. George Channel, the crow of twelve men had a terrible light for life in the heavy seas, and six of their number were drowned. The ill-fated vessel was of about WJU tons, and belonged to the Grainger line. She was on a voyage from Newport with a cargo of coal for Londonderry. When the half-dozen survivors were landed at Belfast by the Cardiff steamer Wheatsheaf they told a terrible story of their experiences. It appears that near midnight, when the open sea was reached, a strong southwesterly wind was met, and this soon developed into a hurricane. Struck by a squall, the ship went completely over and sank off the South Bishop Rock, in St. George’s Channel. When the steamer turned turtle the two small boats were flung clear into the water. Their keels served as a hold for the survivors until they were rescued by the Wheatsheaf, with the aid of 'lifelines. The captain was on deck at the moment of the disaster. On reaching the water he managed to secure a piece of the wreckage in the form of a woollen lamp screen. He was a powerful swimmer, and when hailed by the chief engineer, replied in a confident voice, “I am all right.’ A moment later he disappeared. A fireman named Gregg was flung out of his berth when the steamer was struck. He was soon struggling in the water, bruised and exhausted. The first line thrown to him while clinging to the upturned boat he missed. He caught the, second, but fainted as he was being drawn into the steamer, and but for the fact that the rope was twisted round his arm he must have been drowned. The other five men were below when the ship Avent down, and Avere, therefore, caught like rats in a trap, Avith no hope of rescue. ■ Twelve years ago a vessel OAvned by the same firm Avas also lost in St. George Channel, all hands being droAvned, .and the captain being a brother of Captain Ferguson.