TINY TUG'S FEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15252, 15 March 1913, Page 2 (Supplement)

TINY TUG'S FEAT.

STARVING CREW BRING STEAMER IN. THROUGH AWFUL SEAS. Thk steamer Glcnmorven, of Ecith. was towed into Falmouth recently by the tug George V., of Newcastle, after having been abandoned off the coast of Portugal. Captain Maddison, of the George V., stated that he was ordered to proceed to Vigo to tow the Glenmorven to Newcastle with the assistance of the Dutch tug Pordzee, the Glenmorven having lost her rudder. Four days after the vessels left a terrible gale was experienced, and the George V.'s rope parted. They stood by for forty-eight hours and managed to get another rope on board. The Glenmorven steered so badly tliat little or no progress could be made. The George V. a rope parted no fewer than three times. Then the Glenmoiven's provisions began to give out, and matters assumed a very serious aspect. At length the captain of tho steamer signalled to the Pordzee to take his crew off, for the entire stock of food had run out, and the Glenmorven was drifting to leeward, the Newcastle tug's hawser having parted a fourth time. The crow were transferred to the Pordzee at great risk, for a heavy sea was running. The George V. stood by her charge, and after some hours' waiting four of her crew succeeded in getting aboard the Glenmorven and fastening their hawser to her cable. The weather continued to be very boisterous, and the tug nad a heavy task to attempt to tow her helpless charge to f>ort. The Glenmorven was like a helpless og in the sea. Slowly, but surely, the steamer was being taken toward Falmouth, but a. worse fate threatened the Newcastle men, for their food ran short. Their only hope wan that some vessel would appear and supply food. For fortyeight hours they had not tasted a morsel. At last the Australian steamer Izoor appeared, and in answer to signals sent a plentiful supply of food. For 355 miles the George V. towed the helpless Glenmorven, and when off the Lizard the tug Dragon fell in with her. Some men from the Dragon and from a pilot boat were placed on board and the steamer was safely brought into Falmouth harbour. The Glonmorven's crew landed at Ferrol.