SEAS SWEEP DECK

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11947, 18 May 1933, Page 3

SEAS SWEEP DECK

STEWARD'S NARROW ESCAPE AUCKLAND, May 15. Buried in a trig sea, which broke over the saloon deck, a youthful member of the crow of the British tramp steamer Wirral narrowly escaped being washed overboard v. ben the snip was battling against heavy weatuer in tho Pacific a few days ago. ihe story of tlio youth’s escape was told when the freighter berthed this morning to discharge general cudgo from Now York

Tho youth is Harold Graham, who is employed on the I\ wrrul as u mos-i-ooin steward. About midday on May 5 ho went to draw some water from tlio fresh water pump, which is situated near the entrance to the gat.oy on the starboard side. He had (reached the pump and had actually obtained a hold of the pump handle "'hen a big sea came aboard. “Before 1 knew anything about it I. wag buried in tlio water ancr was being washed along tbe deck/’ -said Graham. “I hit that.” he went on, pointing to the side of the deck liose “and was then washed twice round the bunker hatch. As Hr ho water rushed over tho side again J thought 1 was going with it. but I threw up my bauds and was lucky enough to grab bold of the dockra-il. 1 held on for all I was worth and then theradio operator came to my help. The sea which almost washed the steward overboard carried away an awning spar near the galley, and this struck Graham on the leg as he was being swirlccl round the bunker hatch For tlio last ten days of the -voyage- tho vessel -experienced, stormy weather, and was considerably buffeted. Although her arrival was delayed bv several days she escaped with minor damage.