SWEPT OVERBOARD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21142, 28 March 1932, Page 8

SWEPT OVERBOARD.

SEAMAN LOSES LIFE. DIOMEDE IN HEAVY SEA. WATER OVER QUARTERDECK. COMMANDER AND MEN ESCAPE. A seaman was washed overboard and drowned and an officer and two other, seamen had a, miraculous escape from a. similar fate when a largo sea fcwept over the quarterdeck of H.M.S. Diomedo on Tuesday night while the cruiser was returning to New Zealand Sydney after taking part in the ceremony of opening the Sydney "Harbour Bridge, 'J ho victim was Able-Seaman Kibbins, an Imperial rating. News of the fatality was received in Auckland yesterday, the brief announcement being contained in a Press Association message from Nelson, at which port the Diomedc arrived on Saturday afternoon. Subsequently the Herald established telephone communciation . with the Diomede at Nelson, when further details of the accident were learned. Tho Diomede, which left Sydney at 4.30 p.m. on Tuesday, ran into rough weather during the night and orders were given Io furl tho awning over the quarterdeck. Commander V. A. Crutchley, V.C., took three seamen aft and tho work was commenced. The ship was plunging through a heavy head sea when she suddenly raised her bows high into the air, tho stern being plunged below water. Clinging to Deck Fixtures.

Commander Crutchley and the three seamen were completely immersed Gy the wall of water which, owing to the low freeboard, came on board. The vessel plunged on, but when she shook her siern free of the water only three men reviained, clinging for dear life to the deck fixtures. .Able-Seaman Ribbins had lost his hold and been swept away by the sea. * The ship was immediately stopped and the engines put astern. Four lifebuoys, two of them carrying flares, were thrown over the side, and the searchlights were snapped on. It was then about midright, but the tossing sea was lighted Jp brilliantly by the searchlights. There was no sign of the missing man. An Unsuccessful Search. For two hours the Diomede steamed roujid the scene, but "the only evidence of the accident was Commander Crutchlev's cap, which was seen floating on the water. Had the missing man been swimming or clinging to a lifebuoy he must have been seen by those on board, for the water was searched minutely in the brilliant beams of the searchlights. It was thought possible that his head was struck as he was swept away and that he was rendered unconscious. On Wednesday afternoon, when the sea had moderated, Able-Seaman Ribbins was accorded naval funeral rites, a memorial service attended by the ship's company being held on the quarterdeck. Prayers were said and hymns were sung, three rifle volleys and the Last Post being final tributes to the man who had lost his life in the course of duty.