DERELICT SHIP SAVED.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 24 November 1925, Page 10

DERELICT SHIP SAVED.

BOY SCOUTS’ BRAVE DEED. FIVE HOURS IN COMMAND. Boy Scouts, under their clergyman leader, saved a derelict steamer oh the rock-bound Cumberland coast ill circumstances unique in the history of shipping casualties. The coasting steamer Linton, of Cardiff, a vessel of some 400 tons, encountered thick fog after leaving Workington with a cargo of gravel, and early in the morning, when the vessel was between Whitehaven and St. Bees Head, the crew of eight abandoned it, taking to their small boat. They succeeded in reaching land without mishap, and scaled the cliff to St Bees lighthouse, which 'they reached in an exhausted state. At 7 a.m., when the fog had lifted somewhat, great excitement was caused in the joint camp of the 10th Halifax troops of Scouts and the Hensingham (Cumberland) Rovers, at St. Bees, when the abandoned steamer was observd drifting about a mile from the shore, in great danger of going aground. The situation was discussed by the boys, and eventually the scoutmaster, the Rev. E. Roseveare, of Halifax, decided to attempt salvage. He selected four members of the camp who are strong swimmers—Assistant Scoutmaster Denton and Patrol Leader Fletcher, of Halifax, and Rovers Watson and Wilson, of Hensingham, all sturdy lads between 16 and 20 years of age. ADVENTURES IN HEAVY SURF. Attired in swimming costumes, they manned and launched a small boat, and after exciting adventures in the heavy surf, during which all were drenched and the boat several times was nearly capsized, they got into smoother water and rowed to the Linton. As soon as they boarded the vessel their own boat was swamped and sank, and they found themselves in charge of a drifting vessel, which they could not handle in close proximity to an inhospitable shore. Their first task was to let go both the ship’s anchors. Then, when the danger had been thus averted, they dressed themselves in suits of the crew’s clothing—several sizes too large for them—and taking charge of the galley prepared and enjoyed a meal. For five hours the scouts remained in command of the ship, and then a tug arrived from Whitehaven, bringing back the Linton’s crew. The scouts were taken back to land bv the tug, and were given an enthusiastic welcome when they reached the camp. Meantime the Linton proceeded to Whitehaven under her own steam.

The scouts now intend to prosecute a salving claim. If this is successful, Mr Roseveare states, the money awarded will he devoted to promoting the scout movement and to the erection of new Sundav schools in Halifax.