MAN OVERBOARD

Otago Witness, Issue 3594, 30 January 1923, Page 58

MAN OVERBOARD

A THRILLING ADVENTURE During the voyage of the Shaw, Savill, and Aituon liner Arawa, which arrived at Wellington on Wednesday morning from London and Southampton, one of the vessel's quartermasters, William Ellis, aged 23 years, was accidentally knocked overboard in mid-oce-an during boat drill, and was rescued after being nearly half an hour in the water. The accident occurred about 4.30 o'clock on tile afternoon of December 30 —a day before the vessel arrived at Colon. The weather was fine and warm, the sun shining brightly, but the sea was beginning to rise. , A Dominion reporter who interviewed E'lis while he was on duty lit the ship’s gangway on Wednesday morning got the young quartermaster's own description of his thrilling adventure. Boat drill was in progress, hundreds of passongers watching the proceedings. Ellis was station at No. 8 lifeboat, the last on the port side of the boat deck. He went on the outside of the lifeboat which was resting on the chocks on the deck. This lifeboat was to be manned by a number ol stewards in case of disaster, and they were being drilled, when someone called to Ellis J” move the chock under the centre of the lifeboat. Eus proceeded to carry out this order when the ship’s rolling caused the life boat to swing against him, and at the same time the chock struck him on the back of the legs. Ellis felt himself falling backui* i ’ ai M hb made a desperate grasp at the ffehne that runs round the outside of the lifeboat. He just managed to touch the line with the tips of his lingers, and, to his dismay, was unable to save himself from tumbling backwards into the sea. Falling a distance of over 40ft, he struck the water v,nh the flat of his back. ‘*l was numbed by the concussion,” he said, “but as the big liner rushed past me I felt the port pro pe.ler drawing me in. I knew what would happen if I didn’t make an attempt to get away—l didn’t fancy being cut to so I struck out as hard as 1 could go. In a iew moments 1 heard the roar of the propeller and managed to clear it. Next the suction spun me around like a top and 1 was absolutely helpless. When I fell 1 remember hearing what was like a long cry of horror from the crowd of passengers and now I began to think I was doomed. , e Arawa seemed to disappear like a railway express, and as there was a considerable sea I thought they would never find way's* 1 Sank d ° Wn int ° the trou S h cf the slibu "v? Y earin , g a u *l slat dungarees, shut short underpants, socks, and shoes. 1 did not think it worth while taking off any of my -clothes, not even my shoes, as my case seemed hopeless. I just treaded water, barely keeping myself afloat—l had swallowed a good deal of water, too. I thought of sharks; they are always about in those waters. I thought I saw one near me, and when I looked again it seemed like a fish. I saw it was a piece of driftwood f swam to it and tried to support myself with it, but it was too small to be of any use. It was a terrible sensation, out of sight of the ship or land, and l reckoned a few minutes more would setue me Somehow I kept afloat, and I saw the ship again. I saw them lower the accident boat, but when it was in the water it had disappeared from my view. I never saw it again, and they couldn’t find me. ft seemed like ages as the Arawa came towards me, and I began to think I still had a chance. Then another boat was lowered, and they rowed towards me. When they got to me someone threw me the end of the painter. I grabbed the rope and held on like grim death. As they pulled me out of the water I became unconscious, and when I came round I found myself in the ship’s hospital. I was well treated and next morning I was able to get about again.” it appears that when Ellis fell into the sea the alarm was promptly passed along to the bridge. Three lifebuoys were thrown overboard, but these were not seen by Ellis. The Arawa’s helm was put hard over, and the accident boat was hurriedly manned and lowered, under the charge of the second officer, Mr W. Oliver. The third officer, Mr A. J. D. M‘Arthur (son of Captain Charles M‘Arthur, of Wellington) was sent up the foremast, and lie kept Ellis in view all the while. As the liner completed a circle, the accident boat being some distance away, the second boat, in charge of the chief officer (Mr G. Carroll), was lowered, and it was rowed towards Ellis, who was picked up in a state of collapse. Within half an hour of his falling overboard the young quartermaster was in the ship’s hospital, and was being attended to by the ship’s surgeon (Dr E. E. Craster). ’the patient was wrapped in warm blankets and the usual restoratives applied, so that he soon recovered consciousness, making a speedy recovery. When the boat returned to the Arawa with Ellis the passengers cheered lustily. William Ellis has spent nine years at sea, although he is only 23 years of age. He is a native of London, and his home is at 122 Jersey road, Customhouse, London. He served on a hospital ship at the Dardanelles during 1914 and 1915. Ellis is of good physique, standing sft Bin and weighing list 71b, and looks as though he could come through a test of endurance.