MAN FALLS OVERBOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19280, 19 March 1926, Page 12

MAN FALLS OVERBOARD.

INCIDENT ON WAIMANA.

RESCUE PROMPTLY EFFECTED. STEWARD'S PLUCKY ACTION. An exciting incident occurred during the voyage of the Shaw-Savill Company's steamer Waimana from Southampton to Auckland. Just after lunch on February 19,. when the Waimana was in the Carribfcean Sea, Mr. James Douglas Rcvcll. of Auckland, who was sitting on the rail at the stern of the ship, fell overboard.

There were a number of people in the vicinity at the time, and a cry of n man overboard" immediately went up.' Mr. T. H. Barry, who was working his passage to New Zealand as a steward, happened to bo on the deck in that part of the ship and without hesitation he dived overboard to the rescue. Both men were momentarily caught in the swirl made by the propellers. There was a heavy swell and they were soon lost to view. The master of the vessel, Captain C. M. Andrews, was immediately informed of the mishap and the order was given for full speed astern. Several lifebelts were meanwhile thrown overboard. Five minutes after Mr. Revell fell overboard a lifeboat was manned and sent away in charge of Mr. F. A. Smith, second officer. Another lifeboat was launched 10 minutes later. No difficulty was experienced in picking up the men, and an Hour after the accident the Waimana was set on her course again.

Mi*. Revell, who had been a volunteer seaman and was returning to his home, said he was sitting on the railing and suddenly became faint. He remembered nothing more until he was rescued. It is thought that probably he had a touch of sunstroke. He is a son of Mr. D. R. Revell, public accountant, of Auckland. Referring to tjie episode, Mr, Barry said the difficulty was that Mr. Revell was unconscious. He paid a tribute to tho seamanship of Captaiu Andrews in effecting such a quick rescue. "I could not have lasted much longer," added Mr. Barry. As a mark of appreciation for his plucky act, Mr. Barry was presented wiili a roll of banknotes by tho passengers.