GALLANT RESCUE FROM DROWNING.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 85, 17 January 1885, Page 3

GALLANT RESCUE FROM DROWNING.

Kvpiek, January 13. A narrow escapo from a fatal boat acci dent took place at the port on Saturday A boat belonging to the ship Waitangi, which had made an ineffectual attempt previously to get out against a heavy flood tide, was taken in tow by the s.s. (Sir Donald. When ju»t oil" the end of the western pier, the steamer vaa caught on the bow by the tide and suddenly plowed to the eastward. This brought the boat broadsido on, and she capsized at once, her crew of five persons (including Captain Leeman of the Waitangi) being precipitated into the strong current. Two of the men began swimming in the direction of tho Iron Pot, and thoso on board the Sir Donald devoted their at" tention to saving the other three men, one of whom (tho steward) could not swim. Captain Leeman, fully dressed and with pipe in his mouth just as he was sitting when tho accident occuned, immediately made for the steward and supported him till help arrived. The accident had been observed from the shore, and the pilot boat, in charge of Mr l'rovis, of lI. M. Customs, and a smf boat in charge of Mr JI. Kralft, put off at once to rescue the men. The two men swimming were iirst mot with, but they professed to bo all right, and asked the boats' crews to look after the steward. In a short space of time tho whole of the men in the water were rescued, the steward undoubtedly owing his life to tho bravery and coolness of Captain Leeman.