H.M.S. PHILOMEL

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2733, 30 March 1916, Page 6

H.M.S. PHILOMEL

SHIP & CREW IN GOOD STATE

A TALE OF HEROISM

News of H.M.S. Philomel has been received by the Defence Minister, and the news i 3 all good. The ship has lately been visited by inspecting officers of the Navy, who have made most complimentary remarks about the condition of the ship and the men. In their report on the ship the inspectors said: "She was very clean and eillcient for her age. The ship's company were keen, and well dressed, and appeared to be a very fine body of men. The ship and crew aro a credit to New Zealand." i

The commander also communicated a story of splendid bravery by one of the crow. "I have the honpur, and pleasure," he writes, "to bring to your notice the conduct of Able Seaman Frank Kivell (a volunteer from New Zealand for the war) on tlie occasion when tiie cutter from His Majesty's ship in my command was recently swamped while attempting to communicate with tho shore at . Communication was urgently necessary, and the boat was told to anchor outside the surf, and to endeavour to communicate by native surf canoes. Soon after the boat was anchored , in about 14ft. of .water,< a succession of steep waves completely swamped her, and the canoes coming off were capsized. The majority of the men were washed out, and had to swim for the shore in heavy breaking surf, Able Seaman Kivell amongst the number.

"Able Seaman Anderson, who was attending the anchor, is a weak swimmer, and was left in the boat. He' 1 was.severely buffeted, and washed right along to the stern of, the boat. He had entirely lost his head, and he states that he knows very little of what happened. Seeing this when, he got ashore, Kivell at once started for Anderson's relief. Heavy breakers made this a very hazardous proceeding, which the strongent swimmers in the crew state they would not care to have nn-. dcrtaken. On his way off to the boat Kivell found Able Seaman Castel in difficulties, he having endeavoured to float ashore on a mast, and got his foot entangled in the,rope gear. Kivell dived, 'and cleared Castel s foot, but was struck by the mast on coming to the surface. Notwithstanding this he proceeded to the boat, and rescued Anderson, who was helpless, and who made things much more difficult by clutching Kivell by the neck and nearly drowning him. However, he successfully brought Anderson ashore, in an exhausted condition.

"1 consider it was entirely due to this man's pluck and perseverance in very difficult circumstances that no lives were lost. I recommend that his services be recognised in the usual manner by the award of a life-saving medal."