TRAGEDY AT SEA.

Grey River Argus, 19 January 1922, Page 5

TRAGEDY AT SEA.

OIL SHIP AFIRE. STIRRING DETAILS. [A. and N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, Jan 17. A stirring tale of seas, perils, and heroisms is attached to the. loss of the German steamer Vesta, off Lowestoft. The explosion of the benzol cargo occurred at the dead of night. Amidst a blizzard, the crew mustered amidships and launched a boat which was dashed against the side and three men were drowned. The Hames crept nearer and drove the mate frantic. He seized his three weeks’ bride in his arms and leaped into the sea. Some of the crew followed, but all were lost, leaving the captain and ten others. A trawler, commanded by Skipper Jenkerson, sighted the flames at seven in the morning, and sent a boat in the face of the storm and terrible seas. The boat’s crow urged the survivors to jump. Only one responded. Jenkerson resolved to get close, and twice succeeded, and then was swept away. A third time he called to those on board the steamer to jump, and all wore saved except one frantic seaman clinging to the rails with his boots burning. A rope was thrown to him, but he had not enough strength to grasp it. Jenkerson, with wonderful skill, brought up the trawler, and when it rose on a crest of the wave, the crew grabbed the man and pulled him aboard by main force.