LASHED TO HELM

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 554, 5 January 1929, Page 24

LASHED TO HELM

PEER’S THREE-DAY BATTLE A graphic story of a small vessel’s tliree-days’ fight in the teeth of a fierce gale, was told recently, when Lord Stalbridge and the crew of the 250tno schooner Cetonia were landed at tons schooner by the liner Arlanza. The schooner itself was towed into harbour in a much battered condition. Lord Stalbridge was too ill to be interviewed himself, but Ladv Stalbridge gave an account of his* adventures. “When the Cetonia was 140 miles from the Lizard on her return from the Mediterranean,” she said, “a terrific gale arose. It lasted for three days and three nights, and all the rigging was swept away and other damage done. . During this time the yacht was driven toward Corunna, Lord Stalbridge being at the helm the whole of this time. “He was the only one on board who could act as navigation officer, and he had a terrible experience. For hours he was lashed to the helm. “Mr. Somerset, of the Second Battalion Coldstream Guards, was on board, and he was able to render great assistance to Lord Stalbridge. 1 “When the Cetonia was sighted off Corunna the Spanish steamer the Maria Josepha set out to the rescue, and towed the yacht into harbour. One of the crew of the Cetonia had his arm broken.”