BRAVEST DEED OF YEAR.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 6 April 1926, Page 8

BRAVEST DEED OF YEAR.

HUMANE SOCIETY’S MEDAL

GRIMSBY SEAMAN’S GALLANTRY

The Royal Humane Society’s Stanhope gold medal for the bravest deed of the year was awarded to Duncan L. Sonter, a Grimsby seaman (says the Auckland Herald’s London correspondent.) '‘There was never any doubt,” it was stated, “as to which action merited this award, and the Court had not the least difficulty- in selecting Duncan Soutor for the honour. He has already received the silver medal for the same deed.

‘‘At 1.30 p.m. on May 18 last the steam trawler Honoria, belonging to the Grimsby Fishing Vessel Owners’ Exchange Company, was taking up her i i ues and gear about 90 miles off the coast of Iceland, the weather being exceedingly rough, with half a gale and heavy cross seas running. "Tli e trawler was steaming slowly, head to sea, when it was discovered that the mate, John M. Lee, had been washed overboard, and was seen, well astern of the vessel. Two lifebuoys were thrown toward him, but he failed to reach either of them, and in about 20 minutes he was seen to give up and lie face downwards in the water. Soutcr, a member of the- crew, then threw off his heavy boots and, plunging overboard, secured one of the lifebuoys, which lie took to Lee, and with tins supported him until it was possible for a line to be thrown from the vessel, and both men were dragged on board. The captain stated that if the first attempt to throw a line had been unsuccessful it would have been impossible owing to the heavy seas, for a second attempt to have been in time to effect a rescue.

“Lee was unconscious when brought on board. and Sonter collapsed on reaching the deck. Extreme risk was incurred, jt being impossible to launch n boat.”