LUCKY CASTAWAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 August 1942, Page 4

LUCKY CASTAWAY

MONTH SPENT PLEASANTLY ON RAFT IN GENTLE SEAS OFF FLORIDA. REGARDED WITH SUSPICION ON BEING RESCUED. In only too many instances, seamen and other survivors from torpedoed ships have suffered terrible hardships in boats or on rafts. On occasion, however, castaways have had a happier experience. An example in point is Harley Archie Olson, who was rescued off the American coast —bronzed, sleek and healthy—after spending 29 days alone at sea on a raft. Because Mi* Olson was in such good condition, a New York message relates, there was thought to be something fishy about his story. When the rescue vessel arrived at Key West, Floida, Mr Olson who had been radio operator on a ship torpedoed on April 19, was detained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On investigation it was found, however, that his story—one of the most amazing to come out of the Battle of the Atlantic —was true, and Mr Olson, stopping in New York on the way home to Portland, Oregon, told about it:—

“I didn't lose any weight, I was never afraid of sharks, I had plenty to cat and drink, I enjoyed sun bathing by day and slept comfortably at night. “I had more trouble explaining why I wasn’t half-starved or half-mad from thirst or something than I did while waiting on the raft to be picked up. “They thought I was a ‘plant.’ Thej r thought I was placed on the raft by a German submarine. I was held in ,

Miami until my fingerprints were checked in Washington and until they learned I was an American citizen employed by the steamship line.” After the torpedoing, Mr Olson leaped overboard, sighted a life raft, and clambered on it. Soon he spied another, then some wreckage, then part of another raft. Pooling the best of his findings, he chose the most seaworthy raft and loaded it with food, water, .canvas for covering and sails, and an old setee.

By day, he lounged on the settee, fishing with a net made from bandages in a first-aid kit, or just drowsing. By night, he covered himself with canvas and curled up on the settee. “Gentle waves rocked me to sleep,” he said. “I guess I was pretty lucky, all right.”