A THRILLING STORY.

Taihape Daily Times, 29 May 1918, Page 6

A THRILLING STORY.

HEROIC AMERICAN CAPTAIN. N*EW YORK, May 27. The ' Navy Department relates a thrilling narrative of rescue, from sea and flame, of the survivors of the Florence, which was destroyed in an explosion in a French port on April 17th. After the explosion the surrounding water was covered with masses of boxes of smokeless powder, which were constantly exploding. Survivors clung to wreckage, hut could not reach the small boats owing to their being jammed by wreckage. The lifeboats were ablaze. A motor boat was jammed and enveloped with flame, when Haislip, commander of an American destroyer, despite the danger of explosion and the terrific heal from the burning vessel, drove it through the flaming wreckage, rescuing thirty-four who otherwise were doomed. The rescuers have been recommended for medals.