CAUGHT BY SEA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 112, 15 May 1933, Page 9

CAUGHT BY SEA.

YOUTH'S CLOSE CALL. ALMOST SWEPT OVERBOARD. HEAVY WEATHER IN PACIFIC. Buried in a big sea which broke over the saloon deck, a youthful member of the crew of the British tramp steamer Wirral narrowly escaped being washed overboard when the ship was battling against heavy weather in the Pacific a. few days ago. The story of the youth's escape was told when the freighter berthed at the King's wharf this morning to discharge general cargo from New York. The youth who admitted this morning that he had had "a close shave" is Harold Graham, who is employed on the Wirral as mossroom steward. About mid-day on May 5 he went to draw some water from the freshwater pump which is situated near the entrance to the galley on the starboard side. He had reached the punip and had actually ob- ; taiiied a hold of the pumphandle, when a big sea came aboard. "Before I knew anything about it I was buried in water and was being washed along the deck," said young Graham to-day. "I hit that," he went on, pointing to the side of a deckhouse, "and was then washed twice round that bunker hatch. As the water rushed over the side again I thought I was going with it, but I threw up my, hands and was lucky enough to grab hold of the deckrail. I held on for all I was worth, and then thd radio operator came to my help."

Thought He Was Gone. The radio operator on the Wirral is Mr. J. Lyon, and his description of the incident niakee it clear that the messroom steward was extremely fortunate. "I was on duty in iny cabin on the lower bridge deck," he said. "The ship pitched heavily and at the same time took a roll to starboard. I eaw a green sea come aboard and Graham disappeared from view. When I saw the watercan that the steward had been carrying go over the side, I thought that he had gone too. I whipped off my headphones and rushed down to the other deck. I then saw Graham stagger to his feet, and, ae he appeared dazed and still seemed in danger of going over the side, I grabbed him by the hand and helped him to safety." The sea' which almost washed the steward overboard carried away an awning spar near the galley, and this struck Graham on the leg as he was being swirled round the bunker hatch.. For the last ten days of her voyage the Wirral experienced stormy weather and was considerably buffeted. Although her arrival was delayed .by several days, she escaped with minor damage. At times the wind, which changed frequently, blew with gale force, and a high confused sea was running. Decks were frequently flooded, and the crew, when not in shelter, kept handy to the life lines. One sea that broke over the boat deck sent a quantity of water into the engine room. On May 11, when the wind was west-nor'-west, the freighter was able to make only 125 miles in the 24 hours. A small quantity of fresh meat was lost when a heavy 6ea threatened to sweep overboard one of the ship's meat barrels.