A Tale of the Sea.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7717, 20 January 1905, Page 2

A Tale of the Sea.

WAIHAHAPA HOY OIST1S(11 ISHES HIMSELF.

saving poimxirESE tboops.

(New Zealuud Times.)

Fifteen year* ago, when the groat maritime strike wan on, a young man from the Walrarapa joined the In ion Steam Ship Company. Ua was C. J. JMggiiis, son of Mr V. lligffins, who was widely known as a farmer ut Ekcluhuna and Oreytown. The young man is now Commander C. .1. Higgins, of the Wan lin-r (tan Mackoy, and Mr Hfejgins, hchior, who now resides in Wellington, has just ieceived a topy of the Times of India, containing an interesting wu narrative, in uhlcli Comnmndcr Higgins figures. There was a Portuguese transport, the Sao Thome, of 1488 tons, charterod to convey naval and military details, oininunition, and guns from Lisbon to Macao. She had 335 naval and military officers and men on board, in addition to a crew of 7(1. Going down the lUd He* an Arab pilot was engaged, and on the evening of November 24th, at about seven o'clock, when the weather was clear and line, ho ran the vessel up at lull gppod on a Coral nwfon the Parlsan Hank. The officers were at dinner when the crash occurred, and when they got on deck they found the bow* of the steamer high and dry. Tills kept nor afloat until help arrived. Too crew, aided by the troops, soon set to worK to ettisoa coal and stores. ThU work continued (or six days, and then, no. vessel having out in an appearance, an officer and six men toft In om of the ship's boats for Hassuah. After proceeding for some distance, they met a German steamer, which refused to give assistance. About a o clock on tho evening of toe third day they fell in with toe Clan Mackay. When the boat's crew stepped on board the liner they were in a stutc of extreme fatigue. Captain lUggius at onca altered his course, and soon arrived at the reef. Navigation being extremely dangerous, he lay by till daylight, and then went closer in to where the Suo Thome was lying. After consultation, he decided that all immediate chance' of salving the vessel was hopeless, and comuwnoud transferring tin- troops to his own vessel. Hy .nightfall 880 officers and men had been transferred by the boats of the Rao Thome. Everything possible was done for the rescued, the captain giving up his own cabin to the chief Portuguese officers. Next day the remainder of the company were rescued, for the vesei showed signs of breaking up, and he crew left her.

Captain Hlgglns, now delayed for two dajß, resumed his voyago, and on passing IVrlra reported the low of the transport. The remit im that when he arrived ut Aden the British authorities there had made all arrangements for the comfort of the shipwrecked company. Whm they left the Clon MaeKay the l*ortuguesc gave hearty cheers tor the cuptain and Ms officers.