Amazing Rescue

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 114, 17 May 1939, Page 9

Amazing Rescue

STEWARD OVERBOARD SINGAPORE, April 30. Retracing its course for 25 miles, the Italian Lloyd Triestino liner Conte Verde rescued a steward who had fallen overboard three hours before. This amazing sea rescue was revealed when the liner reached Singapore from Manila. The rescued man, Cebular Antonio, aged 32, married, with one child, had succeeded in keeping afloat in a choppy sea. Remarkably accurate calculations by the ship’s master, Captain Alcide Valcini, enabled the Conte Verde to return to the spot near which the man was estimated to have been lost overboard and a search of the area resulted ia him being found. “After circling the supposed spot three times alternately to port and to starboard we had just started to turn back on our course to Singapore when we saw the steward in the water about 80 yards away,” Captain Valcini said. “Life-belts were thrown overboard and a life-boat was loweron. “The man was rescued and was admitted to the ship’s hospital suffering from slight fever, but otherwise none the worse for his experience.” “After hours in the water I had almost given up hope when I saw the ship return and search for me,” said Antonio. “The only signs of life were seagulls which perched on my head from time to time while I was in the water.”