WOMAN’S GREAT PLUCK

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 34, 3 November 1934, Page 7

WOMAN’S GREAT PLUCK

Ordeal on Sinking Yacht A woman’s pluck in a sinking yacht in the North Sea was last, month described in a graphic story of the rescue of seven men and the woman, when Mr. Gbaham Snook, one of the yacht party, arrived in London. The party left Gravesend on board the .20-ton yacht Lafone for a cruise of the Baltic ports. In the party on board were Mr. and Mrs. .Tames Pinder, of Sutton Lane, Cheswick. All went well for the first day, while they were crossing the North Sea; added Mr. Snook, but toward night the wind rose and the seas became heavy. “We went into our bunks on Sunday night.’’ he went on. “The wind continued to rise, and early on Monday morning it was found that the Lafone had sprunk a leak. The water was rising in the boat, and wo started the pump desperately. The pump became choked, and we began baling for life. “But the water beat us, and we could see the yacht was sinking. She developed a heavy list. We were not within sight of land. “The position was desperate, but we kept on baling. Mrs. Pinder acted as one of the crew, and did her part as well as the rest of us. “At last a German steamer—the Scheer—reached us, two hours after we had started to bale the Lafone. We were beaten against her sides by the waves.

“The mon in the Scheer threw a lifeline, and it was put. round Dlrs. Pinder’s waist. She was pulled on board, and the rest of us followed one by one. “In spite of the heavy seas we managed to get the Lafone in. tow, but t>he hawser broke, and wo saw no more of our craft.”