A GALLANT RESCUE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1139, 14 February 1884, Page 3

A GALLANT RESCUE.

The special correspondent of the London Standard gives the following account of a noble deed done recently at San Sebastian An act of great bravery was performed here when the storm which has just visited this coast was at its height. The .British steamer Calda, of Newport, struck on the tockb and in a few minutes became a wreck at the mouth of the port of Los Passage. Immediately boats were seat from the Spanish gunboat Concordia, and the French gunboat Elan, and three Basqe fishing boats also hastened to the rescue. The sea was breaking mountains high, and the rain falling in torrents. From the wreck the cries of sixteen English seamen were heard. The rescuing boats approached, and, between the seas, dashed into the steamer. They hud saved twelve men, when a heavy wave tore the wrecked steamer in two. The stern disappeared, and on the forecastle stood four half-drowned men, who were speedily swept into the surge, The boats made another attempt to save them, but a large wave capsized the boats of the French and Spanish gunboats, and a thrilling scene ensued for a few minutes, with thirty-one sailors and olllers struggling for their lives until the gallant Basque fishermen in the remaining boats rescued twenty-eight men. Three Englishmen, who were too exhausted to keep up, perished. The survivors received every attention from both the French and Spanish gunboats and from Vice-Consul Brunet.