MAN OVERBOARD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 85, 30 September 1911, Page 4

MAN OVERBOARD

AX EXCITIXCI EXPERIENCE. Auckland, September 2S\ The erew of the s.s. Tomoana, which arrived from Xew York this manning, had a somewhat startling experience shortly after leaving the island of St. Vincent. One of the natives from the island, apparently being anxious to get away, stowed away in the vessel. llu was not discovered, and it was not till Captain llayter shaped his course foist. Jago, another island of the group, that the man made his presence known. Evidently the native thought that it would he much worse to be landed ori St. dago than to have stayed at St. Vincent, better indeed to die. Accordingly, just about dark, he rushed on deck, and before anyone could prevent him lie jumped high into the water, screaming as he leapt and disappeared astern. A fully-manned boat was lowered awav immediately in the call "Mail overboard!" The party in the boat searched for nearly an hour, but no trace of the unfortunate man could lie found. It was quite dark by the time the boat got back to the steamer, and as the sea was very choppy some difficulty was experienced in getting alongside. When the boat was finally in a position to he hoisted aboard, one of the men, in an endeavor to steady her, fell out and drifted away into the' dark ncss. By this time the boat was well out of the water, but in response to fruntic cries from its occupants was lowered again, and a start made after the. missing man. His shouts soon attracted those in the boat, and he was picked up, the boat returning and being hoisted aboard this time without any unusual incident.