TRAGEDY 0F THE SEA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19106, 27 February 1924, Page 5

TRAGEDY 0F THE SEA

TALE OF GOODWIN SANDS. LIFEBOAT SERVICE CRITICISED. Pmm Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, February 25. The inquest on the sailor who died in the wreck on the Goodwin Sands was very pathetic owing to public criticism of the lifeboat service which the coroner apparently endorsed. Davies and Fames are still unable to walk, but their statements were read in the court describing their horror when they were unable to attract the lifeboat. The coxswain, who several times was at the point of breaking down, gave evidence that ho got within 20 yards of the wreck the first time. None of the crew saw anyone or heard voices. The coroner: That is all very well, but the men might have been seen. The. coxswain dramatically: We would not have left a dog in the rigging d we had seen him, but you must realise that there were terrible seas. Later, when he learned that the sailors had wrapped the topsail round them forw r armth ho said: “That is why we did not see them. The men also said they could not shout be cause their throats were so parched. The coroner: This is a terrible story. One man’s life was lost. The coxswain: 1 have had no rest since 1 have been told I should have been up for murder. I have been. SO years witn the lifeboat. The coroner: There is no question of murder, but everyone thinks you might have been more diligent in finding the men. The coxswain : We went through terrific seas twice. Other evidence showed that marine glasses were useless in such weather. A verdict of misadventure was returned. —A. and N.Z. Cable. A thrilling drama of the sea. was related by Captain Fames, on being rescued from a wrecked ketch on the Goodwin Sands on February 17. The vessel ran on the Goodwins on Tuesday afternoon. The skipper and three men lashed themselves in the rigging. Two succumbed to cold, and fell into the sea on Wednesday. On Wednesday afternoon the skipper saw the Ramsgate motor lifeboat approach, and waved to her, but apparently he was hidden by the sail, as the lifeboat went away. On Friday morning the lifeboat again visited the wreck, and discovered Fames and a deck-hand named Davies lashed to the mast Both were almost lifeless.