MAN OVERBOARD

Evening Star, Issue 20129, 20 March 1929, Page 7

MAN OVERBOARD

STORY OF A WONDERFUL RESCUE (By W, 11, Clarke, in (he ‘ Argus.’)

Tiie most- remarkable rescue at sea that I have known occurred during a voyage from Manila to Queenstown in the sailing ship invincible. On a dark and somewhat stormy night we were between Sumatra and the Capo of Good Hope, and the captain, after taking a few turns up and down the poop deck, ordered the outer jib to be taken in. Suddenly 1 heard the belting of canvas as the _ halyards were let go, followed by a piercing shriek and cries of “ Man Overboard! The cry passed quickly along the ship, but all realised that there was little chance of a rescue on such a. flight. The odds were about a million to one against the seaman being found alive or dead, lor he was wearing oilskins and heavy sea. boots. The waves, too, were very rough, there was a strong breeze and drizzling rain, and the night was as black as pitch. The captain rushed on deck. After a hasty glance at the compass he gave orders to jamb the helm hard down and then let go everything. Tile ship must have covered a couple of miles, and several more on the turn, before being finally brought to. By calculations and great skill the captain managed to work the, ship right back over (he track. All hands were on deck, heart-stricken at the thought, of losing a comrade. They were looking into the foamy sea, straining eyes and cars. Some mounted the rigging, while others perched on the bulwarks, but, little could be. heard except the loud swish of the water.

An hour and a-ha It had passed, and still the ship sagged on a. leeward course. The captain -would not give up hope. Suddenly, from the pall of darkness came sonic sort of a cry, heard by only a few, and the tension became more acute. Five minutes passed—it-seemed an hour—and then a feeble but distinct call was heard by most of us. A boat was lowered, and as it, left the side of the ship many silent prayers were offered for its tmi'ety. Ten minutes elapsed, and then a joyful shout proclaimed the success of the search.

I just saw a shadow pass as lie was canned across the deck and down the conipaniomvay to the captain’s own cabin. For several days he remained there, too weak to be removed. When, eventually, ho was well enough, lie went forward to Ids mates, and each, in his own rough way, shook him affectionately bv the hand.

"in time he told ns something of Ids terrible experience. Determined to fight for life, he had removed his oilskins and sea boots, and had begun to swim after the ship. The sea, however, was too rough, and lie decided that his only chance was to Hoiil. The water was bitterly cold, and lie had the constant heard the ship again, and, with all his fear of cramp and sharks. Then he remaining strength, he shouted. He, had been in the water more than two hours.

Before long the once powerful man became a wreck.