SHARK-INFESTED WATERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21774, 13 October 1932, Page 10

SHARK-INFESTED WATERS

MAN FALLS OVERBOARD AN EXCITING INCIDENT (Special to Daily Times.) AUCKLAND, October 12. An exciting incident occurred when the Port Gisborne, which arrived from London, via Panama, to-day, was approximately halfway across the Pacific. A member of the crew, Quartermaster Nicholl, accidentally fell overboard in shark-infested waters and was picked up by a boat launched from the motor ship. The accident occurred immediately after boat drill. All the boats had been swung in and the practice was considered over, when Nicholl, who with 17 others is certificated second mate who signed on as a member of the deck crew owing to the scarcity of bridge jobs, fell overboard. He hail been standing outside the ship s rail when the boat cover which he was endeavouring to lace up suddenly gave way. With considerable presence ot mind he violently kicked himself clear of the propellers as the hull of the vessel swept past him. The Port Gisborne was steaming at 15 knots, and as soon as the cry “ Man overboard ” reached the bridge the vessel’s helm was put quickly round. She was hove to and a boat was manned and launched. The weather was fortunately fine, a moderate south-east wind blowing, and in the remarkably short space of eight minutes after Mr Nicholl had fallen into the sea he was picked up and taken on board none the worse for his experience.