GIRL'S GALLANT DEED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 189, 30 December 1912, Page 7

GIRL'S GALLANT DEED.

TERRIBLE STRUGGLE IN WATER. . SAV.ES IJER FATHER'S LIFE. Fremantle, December 14. Attracted by the calm sea, Lightkceper Waters, of Mathursfc Point Lighthouse, "Rottncst ,J*land, set out the other day on a fishing excursion. ITe was accompanied by his daughter Florric, a power-fully-built girl of about eighteen years, in a small dinghy. The 'two-were in the vicinity of Mundy Island, and were endeavoring to cross the narrow passage between the island and the Roe reef, on the north side of the island, when an accident occurred. This particular passage is well kffown as a dangerous portion of the coast, on account of the suddenness with which breakers form and burst in upon the shore. Waters wished to cross the passage, and hoped to dc so between the rollers, which, built up by the wind from the north, break at intervals of half a minute.

j The boat was half-way across the passage when a tremendous breaker caught the boat, which immediately swamped and sank. Both the occupants were thrown out, and, when the dinghy eventually came to the surface, bottom upwards, Waters and his daughter caught hold of the keel. Waters, who is well on in years, was unable to swim. His. daughter is a powerful swimmer, and immediately went to her father's assistance:

Breaker after breaker broke over them, and each time they lost their hold of the boat, and the daughter had to swim after her father and bring him back to the upturned boat. Several times the boat turned over on top of tjie man, but the plucky girl dived under and succeeded in keeping him above the water. This struggle lasted for about an hour, when the father implored his daughter to leave hitn and save herself.

With her arm around liis waist, the girl kept the Jrian afloat until, finding her strength too severely taxed, she secured him by the leg, and with her hands tore, off her tight and heavy clothing. By this time Waters unconsciously throw nis dead weight on to his daughter, who, with great physical endurance, continued in her struggle to save her father. Meanwhile .Mrs. Waters, on the shore, was a distressed eye-witness of the occurrence. Mr. Pini, in another dinghy, by this time was within about twenty yards of the two in danger, but the huge rollers made it impossible for .him, 01 even a steam launch, which also came to the rescue, to get close enough to be of any assistance. With great difficulty a man named Arthur got within throwing distance of the pair, who were bring dashed against the rocks with each succeeding breaker. Miss Waters hud just enough strength left to tie a line about her father and scramble to the reef herself, when she collapsed. Both were much bruised, And Waters is still laid up, suffering from shock, cuts and exposure. Those who saw the occurrence speak highly of the pluck and determination displayed by young Miss Waters.