BRAVEST DEED OF YEAR.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 105, 3 April 1926, Page 11

BRAVEST DEED OF YEAR.

HUMANE SOCIETY’S MEDAL. GRIMSBY SEAMAN’S GALLANTRY. LONDON, Feb. 12. The Royal Humane Society’s Stanhope medal for the bravest deed of the year was awarded to Duncan L. Souter, a Grimsby seaman. “There was never any doubt,” it was stated, “as to which action merited the award, and the Court had not the least difficulty in selecting Duncan Souter for the honour. Ho has already received the silver medal for tho same deed. “At 1.20 p.m. on May 18 last the steam trawler Honoria, belonging to the Grimsby Fishing Vessel Owners’ Exchange Company, was taking up her lines and gear about 90 miles on the coast of Iceland, tho weather being exceedingly rough, with half a gale blowing and heavy cross seas running. . , , “The trawler was steaming slowly, head to sea, when it was discovered that the mate, John M. Lee, had been washed overbourd, and was seen well astern of the vessel. Two lifebuoys were thrown toward him, but he lulled to reach either of them, and in about 20 minutes he was seen to give up and lie face downwards in tho water. Souter, a member of tho crew, then threw off his heavy boots and, plunging overboard, secured one of the lifebuoys, which he took to Lee, and with this supported him until it was possible for a line to be thrown from the vessel, and both men were dragged on board. Tho captain stated that if the first attempt to throw a line had been unsuccessful it would have been impossible, owing to tho wind and heavy, seas, for a second attempt to have been in time to effect a rescue. “Lee was unconscious when brought on board, and Souter collapsed on roaching the deck. Extreme risk was incurred, it being impossible to launch u boat.’’