SINKING OF THE SHARK.

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 219, 24 January 1917, Page 6

SINKING OF THE SHARK.

CAPTAIN’S INSPIRING END

“I CANNOT LAST LONG.” , j Fresh light upon the sinking of the | destroyer Shark in the battle of Jutland was thrown at Admiralty presentations made to officers and men of the Banish steamer \ idan at Hull. A gold watch was presented to Captain H. Christiansen, a silver cup to , Chief Officer A. P. Nielson, and gifts j of money to four members of the 'Vi- I 'dar’s crew for rescuing seven survivors j of the warship, and Rear-Admiral Stu- | art Nicholson, in making the presenta- j tions, said that when all the Shark’s <nnm had been put out of action, her , ermines and steering gear disabled, and mom than half her crew cither wounded or killed, two more German destroyers came up to finish her off. She did her best with one undamaged gun but was shortly afterwards torpedoed amidships by a destroyer When she went down there were about tN men alive, mostly wounded, and Ucy clung to the wreckage and one or two rafts. The captain had lost a leg, an one of the ship’s company offered him a life belt, but he declined talc it. He said. “It is no use; I cannot 1»»* ,„ng.” Ho v.as in a bad state, a d died after being several hours m water. Only seven survivors were left when the Vidar came along.