GALLANT RESCUE AT SEA.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 67, 19 March 1910, Page 17

GALLANT RESCUE AT SEA.

The Grimsby trawler Oldham brought in on January 27 Skipper Nicholson and seven of the crew, together with the body of Robert Beech, 61, steward, all of the Hull trawler Gothic, which foundered on January 26th, in the North Sea. Early on January 25 the Gothic was clean swept, her bridge, boats, and funnel being carried away. The crew had to take to the pumps to keep her afloat, and everything inflammable, including the whole of her nets was burnt for flares. On Tuesday night the OUtham came up, and Captain Marshall launched his boat, and after considerable trouble and danger took off four of the Gothic's crew. After he had got on board the Olcttiam the small boat of the latter, through the force of the storm, was smashed. Both trawlers were then wttno'nt a small boat. The Oldham's skipper intimated that he would stand by at any cost, and throughout the night in a storm of snow he repeatedly tried to get near the Gothic, and several times threw a rope, which fell short. Early on the morning ot Jannary 2G, the Oldliam again managed to get near enough to cast life lines on board the Gothic These were seized, and the remaining ftve hands, comprising the skipper, mate, third hand, steward, and dock hand, lashed one end around their waists and then jumped into the sea. The Oldham men dragged them throngh the water, and finally got all on board. It was found that the steward had died whilst being dragged through the sea. The Gothic sank within 20 minutes of the five hands being rescued.