SPECIAL TO THE PRESS

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8740, 12 March 1894, Page 5

SPECIAL TO THE PRESS

BY TELEGRAPH,

FROM OUR OTfN CORRESPONDENTS

A GALLANT RESCUE.

MELBOURNE, March 6.

/ One of the most chivalrous rescues of a l drowning man brought under public atten- \ tion for a long time past was made during i the present voyage of the China Navigation [ Company's steamer Chingtu, from Hong i Kong. The Chiugtu called at Port Darwin on February 13th, and after leaviug the harbour she was overtaken by a fierce squall of wind and razD. The steamer was travelling at the rate of five knots, per hour, and Mr G. F. Morrison, the chief ofScer, was standing on the forecastle head directing operations, when one of the Japanese seamen fell over board, striking the fluke of the anchor in hia descent, sustaining concussion of the spine and sinking immediately out of sight. Hastily throwing off his oilskins, and regardless of the fact that the sea literally swarms with sharks Mr Morrison sprang j overboard, and diving succeeded in seizing ! hold of the injured and helpless seaman. The occurrence was witnessed by Captain Innes from the bridge, and with very little loss of time the eng nes were reversen. Life buoys were also thrown overboard and the gangway lowered well into the sea. As Mr Morrison rose to the surface with the Japanese he noticed that the gangway was down. He struck out boldly, aud fortunately succeeded in gaining a firm held of it. Both were then drawn out of the water, Mr Morrison very little the worse for his immersion, bub the Japanese thoroughly exhausted and suffering •severely from contact with the anchor. The conditions under which Mr Morrison gallantly jumped to the rescue of the Japanese stamp him as a British seaman of the true sort, and his conduct is worthy of full recognition by the Royal Humane Society.