A Valuable Vessel Nearly Lost.

Opunake Times, Volume VII, Issue 317, 21 September 1897, Page 3

A Valuable Vessel Nearly Lost.

In the olden days when steam power was not so universally applied to the propulsion of ocean carriers as it is now, long voyages were seldom undertaken in sailing ships excepting when necessitated by matters of urgency and where no alternative existed. Mr Ernest Buokhold, residing at 226 George-street, Sydney, late chief steward of s.s. " Menmuir," of the E. and A.S.S. Company, is now 51 years of age and has been seafaring for 32 years. The story of his miraculous escape from death will no doubt be acceptable to readers. To a reporter he made the following statement: — " I arrived in Sydney in May, 1896, from Japan, suffering severely from pains in the right leg. The trouble increased daily to an acute stage. I ascribe the malady to exposure and wet feet. The pains were first in the hip, and occasionally shot, to the calf and the foot. I had no peace or rest night or day. I could not sit down to a meal, but had to lean heavily against the table. The pain took away all desire for food, and I could not sleep I had to leave the ship, and take to bed at Ashfield. I got worse and was bed-ridden, and in great agony for three months. My hip grew out and the joint bone in the back protruded. I endeavored to get about the house ■with the assistance of two sticks. but it was a great struggle to move, and caused excruciating pain. I could not bear to put the foot to the floor. Two months afterwards, in September I had to take to bed again, and for 70 nights morphia was injected. I remained in bed till the 81st December last. In January of this year I saw Captain Green, the superintendent of the E. and A.S.S. Company, and he granted me a passage to Japan. This was done with the hope that the change would effect a cure. Five days after leaving Sydney the fury of the malady returned. In fact, it was worse than ever. I was unable to go to the table for food, and would rather go without a meal than walk a shoit distance. The perspiration would pour out of me with the pain, which doubled me up. The slightest movement meant indiscrtdible torture. Yet there was no cessation from suffering while I kept quiet. When I arrived in Japan, I thought to take a position at Kobe, but I found that the incessant pain incapacitated me for any work. I was compelled to return by the Australian, and arrived in Sydney on 18th May last, a physical wreck, and a bag of bones, and with undiminished pain. Two days later I met Capt. H. Craig, of the s.s. Guthrie, and he advised me to try Dr Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People. At the same time he handed me £1 to get the pills at once, which I did. This was a critical moment and I despaired of recovery. I was like a Tessel suddenly taken aback ; everything seemed against me. I followed the directions for taking Dr Williams' Pink Pills>. and after taking three boxes I felt much improved. I continued with the fourth, with happy results. I had four pills left from the 6th box, when I had become perfectly strong, healthy, aud -robust. I can now waik any distance without fatigue and suffer no pain whatever. My appetite is keen. The recovery was gradual at first, and then rapid towards absolute cure. I began the pills on 15th May, and put the ungwallowed four aside on 14th June. I have taken none since, for my health has been thoroughly re-established. I arranged with Capt. Legg, of the s.s. Thornley, to go as chief steward as far as Adelaide, to ascertain how I would get along on a sea voyage. "Well, the work was hard, and the weather bad, and my feet and clothing were often wet, but I fared first-class, and suffered no ill-effects. I returned to Sydney on the sth July in the Waroonga, E. and A.U.S.N. Company, in perfect health and strength. I now feel fit for any work." " Yes, I passed through twelve months of unspeakable suffering, which I am sure would have been averted had I known of the extraordinary efficacy of Dr Williams' Piuk Pills for Pale People. However, I trust my experience may bring hope to the hearts of others suffering from sciatica." Dr Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People positively cure rheumatism, sciatica, lumbago, and neuralgia, influenzas' after effects, and are a specific for all diseases of women, such as anaemia, poor and watery blood, female irregularities, nervous headache and hysteria, and are sold by chemists or storekeepers generally, or Dr Williams' Medicine Company, Wellington, N.Z., enclosing the price, 8s a box, or six boxes for 15s 9d.