THE KATE TATHAM EXPERIENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 6 November 1907, Page 2

THE KATE TATHAM EXPERIENCE.

REFFS' TIMELY KESCUE.

Sydney, November's.' Within ten minutes of the capsize of the Kate Tatham, ship's boats arrived on the scene from the German ship Hans, lying a few hundred yards away at North Stockton. The watchman on the Hans noticed the disaster, and gave . the alarm with commendable alacrity. The crew turned .out in their night : garments, lowered boats, and pulled to the partially - submerged barquentine. The officers and crew of the Kate Tatham were passed into the boat, and a thorough search was then made for the missing sailor. The crew were taken to the ship. Hans, where they were fitted out with clothes. Subsequently they were conveyed to the Sailors' Home, When Keffa' horrifying position was" discovered there was no time to lose, as the tide was almost at its full height. Only about a foot of the vessel was above the water, leaving but little air for the distressed sailor, Axes went to work with a will, and in a few' minutes an oblong opening had been cat in the deck just below the bulwarks. Reffs was some distance from the aperture, but, on being called, just managed with his wasted strength to creep along to the opening. Strong arras then pulled him through the hole, and the crowd of ■ onlookers gave encouraging cheers. The sailor, with face blanched from his two hours' imprisonment in the noisome air, collapsed upon reaching the open air, but made a good recovery.