RESCUE OF MEN FROM THE CALF ROCK.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LVII, Issue 6535, 6 February 1882, Page 5

RESCUE OF MEN FROM THE CALF ROCK.

Respecting the rescue of the six keepers of the Calf Bock lighthouse, on the south coast of Cork, who were left exposed on the rock after the lighthouse was blown down for ten or twelve days, the correspondent of the Daily Chronicle, writing from Castletown, Berehaven, on Deo. 9, says:— Yesterday morning the gunboat Seahorse, under the command of Captain Gravenor, left Dursey Sound at nine o’clock, accompanied by three small boats, which were under the direction of Michael O’Shea, who has made the name O’Shea famous, as he has acted so bravely during the whole time, bat more especially yesterday. He was so anxious to save the occupants of the Bock that he actually divested himself of his clothes, so as to give himself free action to haul the men on board his boat, as I will describe hereafter. The means adopted to rescue the men were as followA life-buoy, with a line attached to it, was thrown by the men on the rock, which buoy was picked up by O’Shea’s assistants, and another rope was attached to the buoy about an inch and a half thick. This was hauled on the rock by the men, and when the tide was nearly low water they, one at a time, rushed down the steps,-and, jumping into the sea, which vu in a fearfully violent state, were dragged on board O’Shea’s boat, and transferred by him. from his boat to the two others, and eventually to the Seahorse, where dry clothing and stimulants were applied to them. They had cork jackets and lifebuoys on the rock, and they put them both on, which of course prevented them sinking, but did not prevent the sea from washing over them, which rendered their position something fearful to look at. The assistant lightkeeper, the only one ashore, Mr Duggan, was aboard the Seahorse from Dursey Sound, accompanied by Mr Burges, assistant engineer of Irish Light Commissioners. Captain Gravener consulted Mr Duggan frequently as to the state of the tides. Duggan, after five years’ experience on Calf Book, should know as well as any man as to the state of the tides, and told Captain Gravener that there was no chance of rescuing the men except at slack tide, that is, when the tide is turning. Mr Burgen naturally took the deepest interest in the management of the different arrangements. Duggan’s ideas as to the rescue of the men turned out to be correct, as they were taken off at low wa‘er. Captain Qalmey, the commander of the Prince Alexandra paddle-steamer of Irish lights, has just arrived from visiting the dwelling-houses of the men. He was met there by Admiral Glyn, Staff-captain Moss, and Mr Hugh Tyrwhitt, all of whom were more than pleased by having heard the news of the safety of the men. Great praise is duo to all concerned in the resouo yesterday, O’Shea especially acted most valiantly, and it is to be hoped that the Humane Society will acknowledge his bravery. Kelly was the first saved, and also deserves credit for his pluok, as the eye-witnesses every instant expected he would be dashed to pieces. But the most extraordinary escape was that of Fortune, the principal lightkeeper, who came down the steps, being the last person on the rook. The sea was s<.• rough that he returned for extra clothing, and on his making the attempt to got off was completely enveloped by what I can only term a cloud qf sea, and which was of so much violence .that it was a matter of much surprise when it was found ho was uninjured. A tradesman, named Byrne, who was engaged in making some repairs on the lighthouse, uppears to have suffered most. He came i com Kingstown some short time since, which tamed out a very unfortunate matter for b im. Mr Burgen it was who lifted him on to the gunboat, and at the time he was in a fainting condition, but has now improved so much that it is believed that his health will not be’ injured in any way from the hardships ho has endured. Captain Gravener, of the Seahojse, whose kindness to the men cannot be sufficiently praised, presented out of his own pocket the sum of £5 to O’Shea, and a similar amount to the crews of tho turee assisting hosts, but it is believed that they will be rewarded by the Government.