A Brave New Zealander.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8155, 3 April 1906, Page 7

A Brave New Zealander.

Particulars of a drama of the sea, in which a New Zealander displayed much courage, have reached England, (writes a London correspondent). It appears that the sailing ship King David, which left Newport, Monmouthshire, in February of last year, was wrecked in December on the west coast of Vancouver, after driving ashore on what is known as Bajo Reef. The crew managed to reach the lonely and desolate beach, and fortunately were able tb save the provisions, otherwise they must all have died from starvation, as they were detained on the island thirty-three days before succour arrived. They passed through »ome uncomfortable experiences, living in some Indian huts, though there was a settlement only ten miles away, of the existence of jtvhich they were unaware. At last they met I an Indian, who told them that no sue- ! cour was likely to como to the island until March, Captain Davidson decided to call for volunteers to ,man the lifeboat to proceed to Cape Beale. Chief Officer Wollstein (of Spring Creek, New Zealand), Seamen Rogers (Liverpool), H. G. Rayner (Port Mon-' mouth), Evan Jones (Carnarvon) Martin Pederson (Norway), J. Poda (Denmark), and P. Sorrensen responded, and on the 21st December the craft was launched. The other seamen shook hands with their comrades as they began their journey of one hundred miles. The life-boat's crew were never heard of afterwards. Two days later a heavy gale blew from the south, eaist, and continued for five days. An unfortunate who had become demented when the ship was wrecked, was not troublesome until one night when he tried to jump into the fire which was lit upon the beach. After this he had to be carefully wdtohed, and at times tied down in the but. As the days passed the men began to despair, fearing they were doomed to remain there for mouths. Preparations were being made to get a second lifeboat to seek help with when a steamer was seen nearing the point to the island. Shd proved tobe the Queen City, whose captain had sighted the wrecked King David, with her tattered sails and flags flying. . The men subscquently quitted their home <?n the beach, lahd wereKwarnily received on the Queen City. Donald McLedd, the insane jsailmaker, succumbed after the arrival, lit Quatsino of the rescuing steamer.