EVANS OF THE BROKE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 172, 22 July 1936, Page 6

EVANS OF THE BROKE.

A LITTLE-KNOWN FEAT,

HEROISM IN CHINA SEAS

(By ARPAD SZIGETVARY.)

When the name of Sir Edward Evans, who was appointed admiral last week, is mentioned, one immediately thinks of his epic part in Scott's Antarctic expedition and in the Broke saga. There is, however, one heroic episode in his romantic life which is not generally known.

During- the latter years of the late war the French, like other nations, were beginning to feel the effects of the submarine campaign. Their own shipyards were overtaxed, and in the search for overseas tonnage they turned to China. At Hsinho, on the banks of the Peiho, half way from the sea to Tientsin, there arose from the mud flats a French shipbuilding yard. Here, dogged by nearly every form of g'raft, tlir; keelti were laid of six auxiliary wooden schooners. The work was delayed through graft, the vessels were foredoomed through graft. They were built of unseasoned timber and as each took the water her back buckled. Soon after the launching of one an explosion occurred in her engine room, killing the chief and his assistants and blowing out her stern. That was the end of one. One got as far as the bar of the river and 011 the iirst encounter with the open sea she sank. Another made Singapore on her way to Fraifte. She sailed and joined the long list of lost ship*. She was never seen or heard of again. Two which I saw on my return to China never left the stocks. Their backs were broken while yet they were on dry land.

Admiral Evans was concerned with tlie sixth. Laden to suffocation with Chinese coolio passengers, she ran into one of those terrible storms in the Straits of Formosa which are the dread of all those wlio sail the China Seas. Graft had its rewards, the timbers, buffeted by the heavy seas, commenced to start. Soon the vessel leaked like a eollandcr. That tragic cry of the sea, the 5.0.5., was sent forth. Among the ships which picked up and answered the call was Admiral Evan's cruiser. Driving through the mountainous sees mhe reached the doomed schooner in her death agonies. A China Navigation Company's merchantman circled the sinking- ship and poured oil on the waters. Admiral Evans, with the greatest of difficulty and superb seamanship, manoeuvred his ship into position. However, the launching of lifeboats was found to be out of the question. The fierce bursts of the gale nullified all attempts to throw a rocket line across the schooner. They were tossed aside as so many straws. Gazing helplessly, the crew watched the hundreds of Chinese straggling waist deep in water 011 the decks of the rapidly sinking schooner, and at those who clung to the masts and rigging like so many flies. Then came Admiral Evan's almost superhuman action. Casting off his clothing, lie tied a light line round his waist and plunged into the icy and terrible seas. Only a superman could accomplish the task ahead, but Admiral Evans is a superman, and he accomplished it. The fight was stern and long, but gradually Evans battled his way towards the schooner. 011 the point of exhaustion, lie reached it. He was drawn aboard and many hands commenced to haul 011 the light line, which was connected with a heavier one, and that in turn followed by a still heavier one to take the breeches ,buoy. The work of rescue was completed with the saving of many lives before the schooner sank, but it was estimated that well over a hundred Chinese were swept overboard by the waves and drowned.

And so Evans of the Antarctic, Evans of the Broke, added another heroic episode to liis feats.