DIVE FROM LINER’S DECK

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21530, 30 December 1931, Page 2

DIVE FROM LINER’S DECK

— STOWAWAY’S ADVENTURES BOY IN SEARCH OF WORK. A daring escapade by a 16-year-old Yorkshire boy was related when the Canard liner Berengnria reached Southampton from New York on October 14. He is Lewis Jones, the son of Mr H. K. Jones, a confectioner, of Birstal, near Leeds, He said that he stowed away on the Berengaria when She was last in Southampton docks in a fit of desperation, ns he could not find work and was hungry. The boy climbed up one of Din liner s mooring ropes at midnight, and hid himself for two days and two nights in the bold. He was discovered when be came Out from his hiding place in search of food, and spent the remainder of the voyage to New York in the liner’s steerage accommodation. On arrival at New York lie was handed over to the Ellis Island authorities, who, he says, gave him plenty of food and a room to himself. Jones was permitted to travel third class on the return trip to England, but when the Berengaria was steaming up the English Channel approaching Cherbourg the master-at-arms locked him in a cabin. He somehow got free and attempted to get ashore in France by jumping over the stern of the liner, a drop of 30ft or 35ft, and swimming ashore. The lad was seen at dawn 50 yards from the liner swimming towards the French shore. A boat was lowered, but a French pilot cutter picked him up and he was taken back to the Berengaria in an unconscious condition. Hot coffee and brandy were administered to him in the liner’s hospital, and he appeared none the worse for his jump into the water.