MAN OVERBOARD

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 4 September 1925, Page 5

MAN OVERBOARD

MATE’S FIGHT FOR LIFE

STIRRING MOMENTS

SCHOONER IN A GALE

(BY TELEGRAPH. PRESS ASSOCIATION.! GISBORNE, Sep, 4. When the schooner Elsie Mary was off Tokomaru Bay at 2.30 a.m. on Thursday last, running in the teeth of a southerly gale, orders were issued to hoist the gaff. The mate, Mr Herman Erorim, sprang to the top . deck of the cabin, and was endeavouring; to make fast the peak line when the vessel gave a roll. The gaff swung round and, catching the mate, knocked him into the sea. Erorim, who was hidden from the rest of the crew in the inky darkness, had the presence of mind to grasp the peak line as he fell, but the first indication the skipper (Captain Stephens) had that there was anything amiss Was a splash in the sea oyer the stern, and Erorim rose struggling m the icy water. As he was in, oilskins and heavy sea boots, it was with difficulty that he kept afloat, even with the aid of the rope, and it was over five minutes before he coulcL 'be _ pulled aboard, being such a weight in his drenched condition and with his huge sea boots filled with water that it was all that three men could do to lift him over the stern. Erorim. who was almost exhausted when lifted aboard, soon recovered, and was on duty next day.