SAVED FROM THE SEA.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLI, Issue 175, 26 July 1907, Page 5

SAVED FROM THE SEA.

THE WRECK OF THE SURPRISE

THE SOLE SURVIVOR'S STORY.

[PHESS ASSOCIATION.]

AUCKLAND, July 26. Harry Jackson, the solo survivor of the wreck of the scow Surprise, relating his experiences, said: — " When off Slipper Island on Friday night, the scow started to drag, with three anchors out. The captain ordered the crew to set the staysail, but immediately afterwards she struck on the south end of the Watchman Rocks. The captain sang out, 'Good-bye , that was the last I saw of-him, and ot the boy, Frank Kelly. The scow was humping very hard, when Alf Stewart, Edward Johnsen and I took to the fore-rigging. We stayed there a little time, and then came down and went aft. The ship came stern first off the rocks and capsized. I lost sight of Stewart, and never saw him again. Johnsen and I stuck to the main rigging, after which the scow drifted midway between the Watchman Rocks and the coast. I swam ashore, but never saw Johnsen again. I am a good swimmer. The breakers were very large and' rough. One breaker took me ashore, and others cam© immediately after and smashed me on the rocks ; that is how I was so much cut and foruised. I had been in.the water five or six hours. I climbed about half-way up the cliffs, and then collapsed from exhaustion. I stayed there tne whole of Sunday, and at night felt ill, and was unable to go further.. Next morning, feeling a little better, I crawled up over the cliffs, and eventually reached Mr J. McGregor's house, where I received every kindness, being put to bed and carefully nursed. My position on Sunday was terrible; it was a wild, stormy day, .and I was stuck half-way up the cliffs, with only a small singlet on, reaching to my thighs. I was unable to move further;! cliffs were below me, and high perpendicular hills above. J thought I was done for. I lay there in the storm all Sunday, and in the night the pain •was so severe and unbearable that I wished I was dead. The weather ap-peared-better on Monday morning,! and having a little extra strength I 1 started to crawl along, not knowing exactly where I was."