LEAP FOR LIFE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12041, 20 January 1925, Page 5

LEAP FOR LIFE

JIN SH&RK-JNFEBTED SEA AUSTRALIAN NAVY MAN HAS A WONDERFUL ESCAPE. I’' . ■ : . A BLAZING LAUNCH. “ \ A lieutenant and five ratten from the Admiridty survey ship, H:MA Herald, were forced to jump, into tho ahark-Ln-C tested waters off Dunk Island, on - the Queensland! coast, . when their launch broke, into flames, following an explosion, of petrol. -.' • ■ Lieuenant Thomas Taylor 'and five men from the warship, the occupanta of tho launch,''‘had a narrow 'escape. They were forded to jump overhoard for safety, and after-a thrilling time .ware eventually rescued by the warship. ' ' The story of their experience was -teld by one of rite officers. The Herald'had put. into Townsville for'the Christmaa holidays, and on proceeding to aeo mad* for Dunk' Island, situated a few milea off the Queensland coast, to rasumo Purvey work. Arriving on the survey ground' early in .the morning a launch: ‘with; Lieuenant Taylor and five men set-out from 'the ehip to carry, out a line.- of soundings. “ l ; ONE UNARLE TO SW3M. I

The work had only just started-- #beri the launch suddenly, hurst into a maßa of flames. ' Lieutenant Taylor and hia.meat made -every -effort to subdue the fire,: but all-to no avail,-and, hurriedly seeuring gear that was .ot hand,'.they, jumpea into the sea. (tee of the men: waa junahls. to swim, but he amastedbby the lieutenant -and sailors. y .- : "tS KEEPING' SHAEKB OFF. 5 Tho plight :of 'the.mCu eto readily '.ho imagined When it was -stated that-rite sea whs' thiek' wiSi sharks. By .swimming . round and round. and aplashteg. tho- shilors' were, however,, able to, kOep the sharks off. Meanwhile officers of-rite vraraWp Herald hod noticed rim barntew launch, .and the ' ship proceeded at. fair apeed'ahd picked up the' lieutenant - and hrs men. They bad been half an hqite in the -water, ahd were -te a badvway when rescued. It is regarded as -marveUous that they were not taken-. .by sharks. '■ OVJSBCOMB.BY FUMES, . v

- Lieutenant . Taylor- .and a stoker natesd .Robinson Were oVerbftme tw fumes ‘from *ihe burning launch, and they were only rescued by the timely'arrival 'of a'boa* in'charge of teen tenant B. C. Hanford.. On arrival on board they were attend, ed to by.,Surgeoh-Lieut. Homer, arid all quickly recovered. ‘ All the sailors .of the Herald speak highly of the ptaeky conduct of Lieu tenant Taylor, who,'rimy state, was in great danger of drowning when he was overcome by the fmari. The little craft was burned to the water** edge, but-what was left of-it was hoisted on board and brought to Sydney. •