A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1902, 11 June 1889, Page 1

A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE.

Mr A. Battyo, engineer of the steamer Gulf of Trinidad, who has just arrived at Plymouth from Barbadoes, narrates an almost unexampled adventure; which befell him during the voyage of that ship. The Golf of Trinidad, while voyaging from Iquique for Europe, encountered heavy weather, during which, soon after twelve o’clock on a dark night, Battye was washed overboard, :Tbe accident was observed on board, and a life-buoy was immediately thrown over and the vessel stopped. Battye sank deeply when reaching the water, but on rising to the surface ho struck; out swimming, and reached the life-buoy. The way on the steamer carried her ■far,, beyond him, and though the boat was dowered, the prospect of finding him in such weather, and at night, was almost ■hopeless, Battye soon ceased to see the ship, arid when daylight broke he found himself alone on the life buoy a hundred miles, so far as he knew, from any help. He kept afloat throughout the next) day, although the.tropical heat of the sun was intense, The following night he suffered terribly from being without .anything to eat or drink, and in momentary danger of being swallowed by the sharks of that region, Another day ho hold on j with Amazing endurance, his physical exhaustion and mental anxiety being intense. For the next night he ceased to feel hungry, but suffered from excessive thirst. The third day dawned to find him.still >,in the same position. On the evening of,that day a Norwegian barque passed close by him, the steersman of which saw an object in the water, and thought he saw Battye move. The barque ?was immediately put about, and a boat lowered, and after a short search found the buoy with Battye still clinging to it, although when taken on board the barque lie was insensible. <Ho was ireated- with great care and kindness by the Norwegians, and being transferred to a home ship, has arrived in Plymouth to tell bis marvellous,tale. He is a fine young man, about twenty-three years of age, The Norwegian captain retained the life-buoy os a memento of the wonderful adventure, Battye has proceeded to the Horae in London.