HEROISM EXTRAORDINARY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 376, 19 April 1881, Page 2

HEROISM EXTRAORDINARY.

The New York Herald states that the New York Board of Underwriters; have awarded the officers of the Cowhinim SOOdols, in testimony of their courage and skill during the recent storm. Late in October last the Cowhinim sailed from Gibraltar for New York with a cargo of dried fruits and almonds

from the Mediterranean, valued at. about 25Q,000 dols. When she was 1 seven days at sea a severe hurricane- : broke the crank shaft and left her the mercy of the- waves about 6iPO miles W. of Madeira, the nearest pork Captain Wedhall ordered the crew to set"' all sail and keep the vessel close hauled to the wind. So furious was the that the vessel must have foundered but. for the captain’s skill in managing her. The engineers had no tools with which to repair the broken shaft, but they were ordered to set to and make them. By working hard a large drill wa& finished in a few- hours, bat it was found to be useless without a large brace l and 3

as the only one on boaid was a small one, the sai’ors made a new socket foi the brace. Then, with the ship tossing about like a cork, the seamen began to

bore a hole inches in diameter through 28 inches of solid iron. For < four days and nights they stuck to their task, each man working as long as he could, and then being relieved by another until the core of the shaft was neatly drilled out. Then an iron stanchion was cut an ay from the bole and a rude bolt was made of it. The bolt was driven through the shaft and clenched on both sides, thus securing the fractured part sufficiently to carry the steamboat to Madeira in six days by running slowly and keeping the ship under full canvas. From Madeira word of the accident was sent to England, and after a few days Captain Wedhall received a new shaft from Hull. Then the vessel proceeded on her voyage to New .York in safety# The owners of the cargo testified their gjjniroiipn of tbo foftt V>y making every man a handsome present.