GALLANTBY RECOGNISED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18172, 18 August 1922, Page 6

GALLANTBY RECOGNISED

PRESENTATIONS ON CHATHAM

RESCUES FROM A WRECK.

AMERICAN STATE APPRECIATION. An interesting ceremony took place on board H.M.S. Chatham this week, prior, to her. departure from Auckland, in the form of a presentation in connection with the rescue, by the Chatham of. the crew of the American schooner, Columbia River, which was wrecked on Sunday Island in October last;

The presentation was made by the American consul at Auckland, Mr. K. deG. MacVitty, by direction of the Department of State, Washington. A gold watch and chain was presented to Commodore A. G. Hotham, the watch being inscribed : " From the President of the United States, in .recognition of the rescue by His Majesty's Ship Chatham, of a portion of the crew from the wreck of the American schooner, Columbia River, on Sunday Island, October 3, 1921."

A pair of binoculars, also inscribed, wae presented to Surgeon -Lieut. -Commander T. C. Patterson, and gold medals awarded to Gunner Harold Taylor and Able Seaman F. V. Oliver, for their heroic action in jumping into the surf and carrying a line ashore to bring the men off the island.

Officers and crew were paraded for the r resents ion and addresses given by Commodore Hotham and Mr. MacVitty, the latter expressing the gratitude of his Government for the part taken in £ho rescue by each officer and man of the Chatham, and its appreciation of the great kindness and courtesy shown to the crew of the wrecked schooner while on board the warship.