GALLANTRY AT SEA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10419, 17 April 1897, Page 2 (Supplement)

GALLANTRY AT SEA.

VALUABLE REWARDS FOR A SUNDBRLAND STEAMER'S CREW. An interesting presentation was made at Cardiff, by the Mayor, on behalf of underwriters in London, Glasgow, and Liverpool, to the officers and crew of the steatner Oak Branch, of Sunderland, in recognition of valuable services rendered during, the ?oyage from Yokohama to Sydney. The vessel was about 2000 milos out in the China seas, close to Bismarck Island, when she broke her propeller, and drifted for seven days. The sea was alive with sharks, but, after consultation, it was decided to make an effort to fix a new shaft and propeller. In order to give the ship the necessary tilt the fore part was filled with water, and, by this means, after seven and a-half days' continuous work, the task was accomplished in spite of the sharks closing on the vessel while the crew were engaged on the work. The greatest danger to whieh the steamer was subject was of drifting ashore on Bisraarok Island, the natives of which are known to be cannibals. The case having been laid before the underwriters it was agreed to give the crew a Bum equivalent to nearly a thousand pounds, to be divided among them. Lloyd's committee also decided to give the matter and chief engineer a medal for meritorious services. Accordingly the Mayor presented to Captain Scheele, master, £175 and » gold. watoh; Andrew Young, chief engineer, £150 and a medal; chief officer and second engineer, £80 each; and the remainder of the crew turns in proportion to thlir igoeilianonbotrdiiup,