THE WOMAN FIRST.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7731, 26 February 1909, Page 1

THE WOMAN FIRST.

' TRAGIC HEROISM AT A WRECK. A thrilling story of the efforts to rescue .Miss Maxwell, the stewardess who was drowned with the captain and three sailors in the wreck of the Liver-' pool steamer Irada, at Mizen Head, was told by a number of the survivors. When the ship, struck on a precipitous, isolated crag near the head it was about midnight. The shock was terrific, the spars thundering down on the deck. The water poured in through the holes in the bottom, and in a few moments the engine-room was flooded. Captain Roberts at once ordered the boats to be launched, but the wild sea that was running dashed to pieces the first that was lowered against the ship's side. it was evident that no boat could live in the heavy seas, and the captain ordered the men to save themselves_ as best they could, an effort first being made to rescue Miss Maxwell, thestewardess. , A rope was passed under her arms, and she was lowered on the rocks by the captain and several others. Just as she was apparently reaching safety the ship heeled over and crushed the life out of her. Her body was washed out to sea. As the ship heeled over the captain and three other men were washed away and drowned. The other members of the crew, 63 in all, managed to reach the rock, where, climbing as high as they could, they clung for over seven hours. About eight o'clock they were discovered by some workmen. Ropes were lowered, and they were hauled into safety.