When Oarsmens’ Skiff Upsets V.C. Aids In Rescue

Northern Advocate, 19 November 1941, Page 4

When Oarsmens’ Skiff Upsets V.C. Aids In Rescue

[Special to “Northern Advocate”] AUCKLAND, This Day. A V.C. and two soldiers rescued four artillerymen clinging to a water-loggeu rowing skiff in the Waitemata harbour yesterday afternoon. Captain R. S. Judson, V.C., Guards Vital Points, and the two soldiers, rescued the four men when they were on the point of exhaustion. Tne coxswain of the skiff, Gunner E. J. Eastman, by a perilous swim of nearly a quarter of a mile, managed to reach the shore. The four oarsmen, Bombardier J. J. Rasmussen, Gunner V. J. Lowe, Gunner J. E. Hammond, and Gunner F. J, Hodges, and the coxswain, Gunner Eastman, are members of the 9th Heavy Regiment N.Z. Artillery, and were training yesterday afternoon for a military rowing championship to bo held next month. Strenuous Battle A sudden change in the weather put the small craft in difficulties and it finally filled with water in midstream. Captain Judson. accompanied by Sergeant C. G. Ratcliffe and Private A. L. Roberts, both of Guards Vital Points, put out in a rowing boat and after a strenuous battle picked up the four men-. A harbour board launch was also sent out and picked up the men and towed the rowing boat to the West End Rowing Club’s shed. The oarsmen quickly recovered. The skiff was undamaged and no equipment was lost.