DEMENTED FIREMAN

Evening Star, Issue 19221, 12 April 1926, Page 11

DEMENTED FIREMAN

JUMPS OVERBOARD FROM CORiNTHEG “ SMARTEST RESCUE WORK ON RECORD " What naval officers, who came out on the Corinthic, describe as the smartest piece of rescue work on record took place during the vessel’s voyage to New Zealand, when a demented fireman, who jumped overboard one morning as the ship was steaming at thirteen and n-half knots, was hoisted on board again within nine minutes. The morning of March 13, when the Corinthic was a day out of Panama, on her voyage to New Zealand, was terribly hot. All the passengers were on deck, looking forward to the boat drill, which was sot down to take place at 11 a .in., ns likely to provide something of interest. Drill began punctually at 11, and the men went through the movements smartly, despite the intense heat. The process was got through by 11.9. Two minutes later, a half-caste negro fireman became demented, and, rushing with a wild yell across the starboard main deck amongst the frightened passengers, swung over the rail, and leaped clear out into the waves. Captain Frank Hart and the second officer (Mr H. M'Cormack), who were on the bridge at the time, took their measures smartly. A sharp blast was sounded on the whistle, and the ship was put hard a-starboard, boring round in a small circle. Mr MlCormack dropped a couple of lifebelts overhoard, hut the madman was already a pond wav astern, and could he seen swimming with great, powerful strokes after the steamer. In a few minutes the big ship had swung right around, and she was sti ppccl, with ‘her how reaching high above the fireman, whose immersion had evidently calmed for the time being his wild frenzy. I Wore the steamer stopped, the first officer, Mr E. K. Irving, and the. emergency boat crew, wore being swung out of the davits in their little craft. The man was quickly seized, and dragged on to the emergency boat, which, a minute or so later, was again swinging up the forinlhic’s side to safety. Then the telegraph hell tinkled ihc great engines commenced again Heir rhythmic throb, rind the 12,000!on liner resumed her voyage at full speed.

The man was placed under the doctor's care, lining pub ashore the next day at Colon, and afterwards was sent Hack to England.