BURNING OF THE VESTA.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 January 1922, Page 5

BURNING OF THE VESTA.

A STIRRING TALE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. I London, Jan. 17. A stirring tale of the seas and its perils and heroisms is attached to the loss of the German steamer Vesta off Lowestoft. An explosion of the benzol cargo occurred at dead of night amidst a blizzard. The crew mustered amidships and launched a boat, which was dashed against the side and three were drowned. The flames crept nearer and drove the mate frantic and he seized his three weeks* bride in his arms and leaped into the sea. Some of the crew followed and all were lost, leaving the captain and ten others. A trawler, of which the skipper was Captain Jpnkerson, sighted the flames at seven in the morning and sent a boat in the face of snow and terrible seas. •< The boat s crew urged the survivors to jump, but only one responded. Jenkerson resolved to get close, and twice succeeded, only to be swept away again. The third time he called to those aboard the steamer to jump and all were saved, except one frantic seaman who was clinging to the rails with his boots burnino-. A rope was. thrown to him, but he° had not the strength to grasp it. Jenkerson with wonderful skill brought up the trawler and when it rose on the crest of a wave, the crew grabbed the man and pulled him aboard by main force. —United Service.