THE SHIP PATRICIAN.

[From the Ounbdin Star.] THE CAPTAIN'S STORY OF THE WRECK AND THE RESCUE. Captain Sterling, master of the American ship Patrician, which was abandoned in the Tasman Sea, has prepared for us an account in his own words of the heroic rescue of himself and his crew by Captain Wilson, Mr Ross (chief officer), Gilbert Mouat (boatswain), and Quarter-master Martin, of the 8.8. Fifeshire, on the 28th August, 1896. Captain Sterling narrates how that on the night previous' to the rescue— which was the longest and the most terrible experience he had ever passed through— he and all his crew had

ALMOST DESPAIRED of the ship remaining afloat until the morning, as she was fast settling, in the water. The boats had gone, and all means of escape were cut off. Captain Sterling, thinking all hope was over, wrote his last message to the world, which he enclosed in a bottle, thinking that it might possibly be picked up and tell the sad fate of tho Patrician and her crew. At daybreak the next morning the outlook was very dismal. The pumps could not be worked, the ship was fast sinking, and everyone began to realise in spite of their assumed cheerfulness that there was no possible chance of the ship remaining much longer afloat, but must soon founder. Imagine the feelings of joy when

A SHIP WAS SIGHTED in the distance bearing down upon the wreck. [Captain Sterling himself was the first man to see the steamer.] -All the sufferings of the night before vanished at the prospect of rescue. When the ship came nearer it was found to be a steamship. The American ensign was then hoisted on one of the remaining spars of the Patrician, union down, as a token of distress, also a signal asking "to be taken off from the wreck," which was speedily . answered by the steamer (which proved to be the s.s. Fifeshire. bound for the Bluff under the command of Captain Wilson), saying they "would do so if it were possible." Even after receiving this message Captain Sterling didn't think it passible for any boat to live in the tremendous sea which was then running. But, knowing Captain Wilson, be felt confident that if there was no chance of their rescue he would remain by him until the end, which seemed to be so near. The Fifeshire then steamed round the ship, taking her position to windward. Theo, Bays the narrator, I saw by the movements of the crew of the Fifeshire that an attempt was being made to

SWING OUT THE BOATS ready for lowering away. After mantcu vring the steamer in many different positions an attempt was made to lower the lifeboat, but, owing to the tremendous sea and the terrible rolling of the steamer, this boat was completely stove in. It also carried away the bridge rails and fittings and injured Mr Ross, the chief officer. Mr Forder, the third officer of the Fifeshire, seeing that the boat was stove in and that there was no chance of getting out another boat, bravely offered to

RISK HIS LIFE BY SWtMfUNCi to the sinking ship with a line, but he was prevented by Captain Wilson, who saw that this heroic offer meant certain death, as no one could live in such a heavy sea. After getting the steamer again into position an attempt was made to lower another boat, which was successful. Notwithstanding the injuries the chief officer had received, and quite forgetful of himself and his friends, he again bravely offered to risk his life in saving those of his fellow-men by taking charge of the boat. I must not pass over the bravery of the boatswain (Mouat) and the quarter - master (Martin), who were equally willing to sacrifice their lives, as they seemed to be going to certain death by facing such

A TERRIBLE SEA. One may imagine the Bea that was running when at times the hull of the Fifeßhire, as seen from the wreck, would entirely disappear in the trough of the waves. This may convey to the mind the magnitude of the undertaking, and I must say, had it rot been for the great bravery and heroism displayed by the crew of the Fifeshire, and the risks they ran, being willing to sacrifice both life and limb, we would certainly have perished, ior it was solely due to their wonderful courage and perseverance, and the skilful manner in which Mr Ross and his crew handled the boat, that they reached the wreck, as it was a most dangerous and difficult task. Had it not been for Captain Wilson, who handled his ship in such a masterful and seamanship-like manner, thus rendering valuable assistance to . the lifeboat, all efforts would have proved fruitless, as the Fifeshire is a very large ship, and having a heavy gale and high sea to contend with it was extremely difficult to keep her in position. In conclusion, let. me say that Captain Wilson and his crew are a credit to the Shire line and

AN HONOR TO THE BRITISH FLAG, under which they sail* It seems as if Captain Wilson is a chosen instrument of Providence, he having saved forty-three liyes in the short space of three years. The Fifeshire picked up a crew in 1893 in the Pacific Ocean. I Bincerely trust and feel confident that the United States - Government will reward them in proportion to the bravery and gallant courage they displayed in rendering such timely assistance and saving the lives of myself and crew. I feel sure that anyone contemplating a trip to the Old Country cannot do better than engage their 1 passage in the Fifeshire, where they can feel safe ip trusting themselves in the hands of Captain Wilson and his brave crew.