THE HEROISM OF JIM GIVENS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8419, 16 February 1889, Page 2

THE HEROISM OF JIM GIVENS.

A TRUE STORY OF A BURNING STEAMER.

The latest reports of the Mississippi steamer disaster give an account of a remarkable deed of heroism, performed by a deck hand named Jim Givens. When the burning steamer touched the bank and bounded away' the pilot left the wheel and -sprang overboard. Givens quickly realised that the salvation of all on board depended upon the steamer being brought back to the bank': The pilot house was surrounded by flames' but the brave fellow sprang to the wheel' and brought the steamboat's head again to the bank, and, in order to keep her there, made the wheel fast in proper position. The fire swept over the pilot house, and he was imprisoned by the flames. To escape it was necessary to push through a wall of fire He made a dash for the side of the vessel' and, although frightfully burned, succeeded in reaching it. With his clothing all ablaze ho •jumped into the river and struggled to the bank, where he was pulled ashore by willing hands in a horribly burnt and exhausted state. He died after indescribable agony a few hours later. The case is a striking parallel to that of Jim Bludsoe, the hero of John Hay's poem, who died at the helm of a Mississippi steamer which was on fire in accordance with his vow to." hold her nozzle agin the bank till the last galoot's ashore "