TORPEDO BOAT IN GALE.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 23 January 1917, Page 3

TORPEDO BOAT IN GALE.

SIX MEN WASHED OVERBOARD. VESSEL SURVIVES THE STORM. The experiences of the Canadian torpedo boat Grilse, which was first reported to have been snnk, and afterwards to have reached port, are described in the newspapers received by the last mail. The Grilse was the fastest boat in the Canadian patrol fleet. The vessel limped into Shelbourne Harbour on December 14, steaming at eight knots an hour. Six members of her crew were lost overboard during the fight against the storm. The vessel herself was little damaged. The Grilse, which was bound for Bermuda, encountered bad weather on the night of December 11. Next day the storm continued, and as night advanced became more severe. The Grilse began leaking, and commenced to settle by the the head. Wireless calls were then sent out for assistance. Tremendous seas piled over the little craft, smashing her hatches and flooding her engine room. Her engineers and artificers worked up to their waists in water, and were violently thrown among the engines. ; The Grilse carried three boats. Two of these were smashed and carried away and her life rafts were also washed adrift. Hope was given up, and while power remained the wireless flashed out signals that the vessel was sinking. Helpless, the torpedo boat drifted before the 60-milc gale, but to the surprise of all on board, kept afloat. A tremendous sea washed on board, destroyed a deckhouse, and carried away her mainmast. The six sailors*who lost their lives went overboard under that terrific weight of water, and her wireless outfit became a hopeless wreck. Shortly after midnight the jStorm somewhat abated, and although there were occasional gusts and a succession of heavy seas, it became evident that the weather was moderating, and the men took heart and worked hard to save the vessel. Although the ship settled heavily by the head, it was evident when daylight came that her tanks wore saving her,, and that the leak could bo controlled. The cold was less severe, and all that was lacking to bring comfort was food and drink. All the fresh water had gone. The ship’s stores had been smashed and soaked. Water was pumped and baled out below decks, and finally the engine-room was cleared and the engineers were able to get steam.