A STEAMER IN PERIL.

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 June 1905, Page 2

A STEAMER IN PERIL.

SAVED BY A WATERMAN'S SKIFF.

SYDNEY, May 23. A sensational incident occurred in Sydney harbour last evening, when the small steamer Magic, bclongin;' to the firm of Bernard Byrnes, Limited, narrowly escaped destruction on the rocks of George's Head. It appears from statements made by those on board that the Magic _was bound from Manly to Sydney, and that about a quarter-past six p.m.," when in the vicinity of Geonre's Head, the tail-shaft suddenly snapped, and the vessel was rendered absolutely helpless. The engineer, who was below at the time of the accident, narrowly escaped with his life. When the fracture occurred, he sa.ys, he was close to the shaft and pieces of iron and wood of large dimensions flew in all directions with terrific force. One piece of iron passed within a few inches of his head, and had it lit ruck him lie must have met with instantaneous death.

When the Magic became disabled, she was between 'MO and 300 yards from the shore, and he commenced to rapidly drift towards the cliffs. Those on board feared that the vessel would be dashed on We rocks before assistance arrived, and every minute the position became more and more serious.

With a view of securing aid the master of the Magic blew three loud blasts of his whistle, and he also attempted to make signals of distress by hoisting a light. It is usual when a vessel is in peril to fire rockets or blue rights, but evidently there were none on board, and the signals made by the Magic failed to attract the attention of the authorities.

In the meantime the little vessel continued to drift nearer and nearer her doom, and those on board prepared to launch the boat should it bo found necessary. Fortunately a boatman named Thomas Farrell happened to be in the vicinity at the time, and he pulled over to the vessel to offer any assistance that might be in his power. The master of the Ma.gic, realising the extreme danger of the position, requested the boatman to take him in tow, and to keep the vessel from drifting on to the rocks until help arrived.

To tow a steamship with a 16ft waterman's skiff is no easy task. Neverthelev: Farrcn replied that he would do his utmost to save the vessel, and a towlinc was passed aboard. For three hours Farrell worked desperately with his oars, and inch by inch the disabled steamer came along until eventually the Magic was taken by the skill' alongside the Submarine Miners' Wharf in Chowder Bay.