FOOTBALLER OVERBOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13813, 28 July 1908, Page 5

FOOTBALLER OVERBOARD.

FOUR MORE TO THE RESCUE.

A SENSATIONAL LEAVE-TAKING.

A sensational incident occurred just as the steamer Victoria was casting off her moorings at Quay-street Wharf No. 2 last evening, before her departure for Sydney. Thousands of people thronged,the vicinity, crowding on to every available vantage point to see the lo&1 of the members of the British football team, who were being individually farewelled on all sides.

The words " All ashore" had been passed round the ship some time before, when Mr. Percy Down, a doughty British forward, who was leaning over the ship rails to shake hands with a lady acquaintance, lost his balance and fell headlong into the water, striking a hawser in his descent. There was a rush to the quarter, Down having fallen between the wharf and the steamer, which was stern on to the wharf.

Almost as Down touched the water, Mr. A. Francis, a well-known New Zealand football representative, divested himself *~~of his coat and took a header to the Britishers' assistance. Mr. G. Gillett immediately followed his example, and Mr. Jackett, Britain's goal defender, plunged into the water in a reckless manner from the ship's side to his comrade's assistance. In the semi-darkness it was difficult to ascertain what was happening, and the confusion was increased when another footballer, Mr. Cassidy, joined the party in the. water. A couple of lines were run out over the steamer's side, and meanwhile the launch Adventure, in charge of Captain Campbell, with Mr. N. Galbraith, the treasurer of the New Zealand Rugby Union on board came to the rescue. The crowd by this time had recovered sufficiently to gratuitously direct the course of action, as i.; its custom on such occasions. Jackett. and Gillett were hauled oil board, and Down and Francis were pulled into the launch, while Cassidy clambered up a pile to safety. Down regained the ship with little, difficulty. The incident only lasted a few minutes, and created a slight panic amongst the thousands of people on the wharf. As the vessel moved away the British footballers gave ' three ringing cheers for Messrs. Francis, and Gillett for their gallant attempt at rescue. There was some doubt last evening whether everyone was safe, and dragging was commenced by Sergeant Ramsay and Constable Armstrong, of the water police, and continued* until nine p.m. It is statedpositively, however, that Cassidy, who could not be found when called for, is quite safe. Some consternation was caused when the absence of Mr. H. H. ■. Vasaall, a member of the British team was reported, but as no one had seen him about the "harf or on the steamer,'it was surmised he had been, delayed in town. This conclusion proved to be correct, for. Vassall had been, detained, and' arrived at the wharf too late to take bis passage by the Victoria. >