"MAN OVERBOARD!"

Evening Star, Issue 25633, 6 November 1945, Page 6

"MAN OVERBOARD!"

SEAMAN IN “THE DRINK"

INCIDENT AS CRUISER LEAVES >

At least one member of the ship’s company of H.M.S, Newfoundland apparently found the people of Duned.n to his liking. So much so, in fact, that bo made strenuous efforts to remain here 'after the vessel left. Success crowned his attempt to spend at least one more night in the city, though it is doubtful that he had the liberty of movement that he anticipated when he made his spectacular bid to regain the shore. •

Newfoundland was being swung off Victoria wharf preparatory to heading down the channel. She was lying with her bows against the wharf and her stern slowly swinging in the channel, when the large crowd lining the wharf gasped with amazement to see a sailor, clad in a boiler suit and sand shoes, climb the rail and, with a loud shout, jump into the water between the ship and the wharf. The first wave of apprehension soon gave place to amusement when it was seen that the man was a good swimmer. A whaler was manned and called away from the ship, but as she was rowed towards the man in the water it soon became apparent that his action was premeditated and not the accident that it was at first thought to he. Turning on his back he swapi under the wharf, where he remained in spite of the assistance offered by his comrades. As soon as the position was understood on the bridge of the cruiser, the whaler was recalled and hoisted out of the water. The persuasions of two stalwarts of the police force and' some members of the local naval staff also fell on barren ground. As the ship drew away from the wharf, leaving a gap of several yards between herself and the wharf, a petty officer stood by on deck to give any assistance that was required with a heaving line. “ Are you coming? ” he asked the swimmer. “ No,” came the reply from the water. “I hope you have a good leave, then,” was the rejoinder as the wouldbe rescuer moved aft. _ 1 As the gap between the ship and the wharf increased, the man swam out and fondly embraced the stem for a few moments. The next to attempt a rescue was the skipper of a small launch, but apparently finding the water becoming too crowded the sailor swam under the wharf from where he withstood the blandishments of the waterman. It was only when the cruiser’s stern was disappearing down Victoria Channel that the cause of all the excitement decided', that it was safe to leave his cave of refuge. The attitude of the police representatives and personnel from the Navy Department, who took a keen interest in his future safety and provided transport in a Navy Department vehicle, did not give onlookers the impression that he would .see many more sights in the city. ■