LIFE-LINE LEAPS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13373, 6 May 1914, Page 9

LIFE-LINE LEAPS.

THRILLING SCENE AT TWO

WRECKS.

FIVE MEN DROWNED. LONDON, March 23. ' There were exciting rescue scene* at Gynver Beach, near Land's End, when th'e Swedish barque Trifolium (593 tons) was wrecked.

The vessel was bound from Cardiff to Brazil with a cargo of coal, but when 16 days out sprang a leak and put back to Faiinouth for repairs. During rough weather off Land's End on Saturday night the captain, a Swede named Ohlson, and the second mate were lost overboard. The vessel drifted ashore yesterday morning before the lifeboat could render help. The crew were m the rigging. Waves broke over the vessel. Six men were brought ashore one after the other by lines thrown from the rocket apparatus. . They had to jump into the sea to reach the lines. The chief petty officer of coastguards rushed into the surf and dragged three of these six men ashore. Two men were washed ashore dead. Another man is missing. The vessel, built of iron, was completely broken up m about half an hour. One of the rescued men was distressed because his dog perished m the ship. THREE DAYS FACING DEATH.

A thrilling narrative was told when the captain and crew of 24 of the Cardiff steamer County of Devon (2821 tons), from which they were rescued m the North Atlantic, were landed at Hull. For three days and . three nights, said one of the men, they faced death and were, graying for it to come swiftly During this period they were clinging to the bridge and. upper woi'ks of their steamer, which was being washed by huge seas, and they had practically >io food.

t "We were sinking," said an officer, "when the German oil tank steamer Deutschland signalled us. 'We are sinking; save our lives,' we replied, and she signalled, 'Hold, on ; we will stand by and try to rescue you.' The Deutschland launched a boat with a volunteer crew, and time after time they tried to get to us before line communication was established. In turn we fastened the line round our waists, jumped into the sea, and were pulled into the boat. "I always had some prejudice against Germans, but I have different opinions now. They treated us most Jiospitably and landed us at Copenhagen."