RESCUE AT SEA.

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 38, 15 February 1919, Page 11

RESCUE AT SEA.

, Au exciting roscuo of a crew stranded on tho Gooawin ■■ Sands was performed early on Saturday morning, 30th' November, in circumstances almost without parallel, lor it is not often that the,crew of, a vessel which is being towed by another have to go to the succour of tne sailors on the other ship, in this case an ex-citing-drama was unfolded. The tug.Seagull, was towing the three-masted Italian sailing vessel luargarida, bound from Hull to Franca with a cargo of coal, when the tug went ashore on tnp Nprth-YVest Uoodwms. The wind was moderate, but there was a heavy sea, with a strong swell. The tug rolled over on her siue,' and Captain Alec Benson, of South Shields, who was in charge ol the Margarida, seeing what bad happened, let go his anchor in time to prevent iiis ship irom, experiencing a similar late. The seven men on tlie tug clambered out on the side, but were, in a most-precarious position, as the seas were washing over them, they had to lie flat to avoia being swept.away- Captain Benson burned distress signals to attract attention from the crew of tho Gull Lightship,, but these were not observed. On realising this, and despite the fact that his own vessel was 111 imminent peril of stranding, lie callea'tor ..oiumeera _h Iriscrew 01 seven men to,go 111 a small open boat aiid attempt a rescue. After heroic eiiorts in the tlailc ihoy managed- to got oif in. mo uuat, and »_M_ the am ol au electric, torcn 'to guide tnem. through tho water, succeeded in reaching the stranded tug. iXhe,crew: were almost exhausted, but luckily they managed to slide down the side ot the tug to the boat, and were safely taken on board the Italian vessel. The torch saved the situation, for all would havo been lost had it not been available. Owing to the sea pouring in, there was no means-of providing-anything hot to drink on the Margarida,. but fortunately the captain had some stimulants which revived the rescued men, who were taken ashore. At daylight the captain was able to extricate his vessel from a,dangerous position, and by the aid of a Deal drifter made harbour safely. ' The Seagifil was totally wrecked. In November, 1909, Captain Benson was instrumental in rescuing the entire crew of a French ship in the Bay of Biscay, and for this he . was decorated by the French Minister of Marine with a medal inscribed" "For courage and devotion."