EVANS OF H.M.S. BROKE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 6 January 1923, Page 12

EVANS OF H.M.S. BROKE.

AWARD OF GOLD MEDAL. ,

(Press London Correspondent.) | -V 1 ?, uly did my J°D- lam a< paid sailor." . * , «W.ith^these modest words Captain' Slf« G, n?V Ih' UB ' I>S0 > of H.M.S. Carlisle, accepted the first gold medal struck by Lloyd's in recognition of gallant conduct in rescuing life at sea. Silver medals and bronze have been awarded before, but Cap**m Evans' bravery appeared to Lloyd s so outstanding that it necessitated a great departure. \ To- about 2000 members'and clerks,' Mr. A. L. Sturge, from the pulpit at Lloyd s, spoke of the heroism of their § u ies^ wmV accompanied by his beautiful Norse wife, stood at the foot of the rostrum, his breast covered with decorations. n Mr-, ,A-' I*. Sturge (chairman of JnS y 8 _ related how < on March 3, 1921,, the steamship Hong Moh, carrying 1100 Chinese coolies; struck on rocks north-east of Hongkong. Captain Evans, in .command of H.M.S. Carlisle, received an urgent wireless ■, message, and he went at all speed', but found he could not get\ near owing, to shallow water. He took charge of a , motor-boat, which alsio could not get close owing to the heavy seas. Captain Evans thereupon swam to the 1 wreck with „ line: Only a powerful swimmer could have made headway, and there was danger of being dashed to pieces against the wreck. Eventually he made fast the line, aifd the survivors were hauled, on board the motorboat,, back to which Captain Evans swam. Later, while the boat was crowded with refugees, it was discovered that a rope had fouled the propeller, and again Captain Evans went overboard. After hard work the propelervwas released. "They succeeded in saving every living man from the wreck," said .Mr. Sturge, amid\ a tornado of cheering. i Captain Evans, in thanking Lloyd's! for the medal and the chairman ,fof his^ words, said it was easy for "British sailors to take Kig risks when they knew they had good men behind them. * 'I■ only did my job. lam a paid saalor. There was something to be ■done, and my men did it." Captain Evans has been appointed to command the Auxiliary Patrol on