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CAPTAIN'S GALLANTRY.

NIGHT ORDEAL OF WRECKED MARINES. Survivors of tlie wreck of an 1800ton barque, which tugs and life'boata were unable to reach, had a thrilling story to toll when tjiey were landed at Plymouth. The Yvonne, a fourmasted ship, was near the end of ft chequered voyage from Jamaica to Havre, with a cargo of logwood. Two months have lapsed since the vessel left Jamaica, as l she ran into a succession of storms, especially after passing the Straits of Florida, and four times she had to lie to until the weather abated. At the mouth of the English Channel she ran into the worst gales of the series, with mountainous seas. Under almost bare masts she raced up the Channel, just escaping tlie Eddvstone Rooks. Darkness coming on, the captain decided to seek shelter in Plymouth Sound, but when the sails were hoisted the gale blew them to ribbons. There Was a' tremendous sea on, and the ship failed to make the western en. tranpe. 'Suddenly some of the crew were heard shouting ''Breakers ahead!" and almost simultaneously the ship crashed on to the seaward side of Plymouth Breakwater. Heavy seas pounded the Yvonne, great waves washing right over her. The captain assembled his crew of 1!) on the poop. The wireless sent out '•5.0.5.," and continued doing so until the seas smashed the apparatus. After that rockets were fired and flares burnt. The crew had to be moved to the forecastle head, where they remained four hours, huddled together, cold and hungry, drenched to the skin, and expecting every minute to be washed overboard. Towards midnight a Government tug and another vessel were seen struggling to approach, but, to the dismay of the sailors, terrific seas prevented their coming near. Searchlights from neighboring forts sent friendly shafts of light over the wreck to tell the men that their plight was known and that reßcue was near. Tn the beams of the searchlight the crew saw the lifeboat standing under the lee of the breakwater, but unable to get nearer. They realised that they must trust to their own resources. The , starboard lifeboat on the Yvonne was I found completely smashed, and the port i lifeboat was full of water. Every man | was given a lifebelt, and the remnants jof tlie remaining lifeboat were lowered }to the breakwater. The sailors, waitI ing their chance between tlie 'breakers, I scrambled overboard with ropes, and j with a great shout of joy slid the lifeboat .down the breakwater's incline into the sea and waded aboard. As soon as the lifeboat left the shelter of the breakwater she foundered, throwing her 20 occupants into the sea, which quickly separated them. Among them was a litle stowaway, a Jamaica boy of 16. lie could \ not swim, so Captain Gerliand Thonnesson perched him on his shoulder, and after a hard struggle swam to the Plymouth lifeboat. A line was skilfully thrown by one of the lifeboat's crew, and both were dragged aboard. Cruising about among the swimming sailors, the lifeboat rescued IS. Cries for help came from the darkness, and the lifeboat sped in the direction of the sound, bnt unfortunately found nothing. It must have been the eook, who wafc the only man lost. The tug picked up the other sailor. The two lifeboats—one from Plymouth and the other from River Yealm—did magnificent work, and were frequently swept by seas from bow to stern. A coxswain said it Was the most mountainous sea he had encountered in a long experience. Seven nationalities are represented by the rescued men. They were very expressive in their gratitude, one Frenchman wringing the hands of the lifeboatmen, and saying: "You are very, very brave, aud risked your lives to save ours." Captain Gerhand Thoiniessen, who is a Norwegian, told how he saved the stowaway. "1 know the men could swim," he said, ■'but realised that the little stowaway could not. He had stood on the edge of the breakwater too terrified to move. I shouted. 'Come along with me, sonny,' and lie perched on my shoulders. It was a hard struggle, but we managed at last to catch a line thrown to us from the lifeboat, and were hauled on board." Captain Thonnessen added that the searchlights from the fort were of considerable assistance, ,

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TDN19201231.2.89

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1920, Page 11 (Supplement)

Word count
Tapeke kupu
718

CAPTAIN'S GALLANTRY. Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1920, Page 11 (Supplement)

CAPTAIN'S GALLANTRY. Taranaki Daily News, 31 December 1920, Page 11 (Supplement)

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