GALLANT BOAT’S CREW.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16579, 7 November 1924, Page 10

GALLANT BOAT’S CREW.

BRAVE EFFORT AT RESCUE,

LONG STRUGGLE WITH GALE. WANGANUI, Tuesday

Particulars of the drowning of a fireman named Doyle when the steamer Port Caroline was on its way to- Wanganui, show that the highest- traditions of the British mercantile marine were maintained by the chief officer, Mr. U. If. Smith, and a crew of eight, which manned 1 a ship’s boat in an endeavor to save the unfortunate man’s life.

When the vessel reached the Wanganui roadstead at 2 p m. on Friday, there was a very heavy sea. running and the captain decided to proceed up the coast, in the hope that the conditions would moderate. The vessel was therefore headed toward Patea-

As she churned 1 her way through the stormy elements Double arose through the fireman, Doyle, becoming temporarily out of his mind. He had threatened during the afternoon to jump overboard, and just as evening was closing in he exclaimed that the “seagulls were calling him.” He was attended to by the ship's doctor, and during tho latter’s visit to a medicine chest the patient, with a. rush, went over into the trough of the sen.

Almost immediately two lifebelts were thrown overboard, and' Doyle, who was a remarkably strong swimmer, was seen to get into one of them. He evidently changed his mind, and discarded the life, buovi

By this time a lifeboat, manned by Mr. Smith and eight of the. crew, was lowered in the howling gale. Immediately it touched the water great seas came over it, drenching the occupants to the skin, and pouring into the boat. Doyle could be seen for some time after he jumped overboard until lie was lost to view in the approaching darkness. lie was then swimming with powerful strokes. A TITANIC STRUGGLE.

With the aid of red Hates, which were lit at intervals, the exact position of the lifeboat could be seen from the- ship, and from the time when the first flare was seen the boat’s course was altered frequently until it was a distance of about two miles from the liner. Shortly after 8 p.m. tho boat’s last flare was lit, and as there was no hope of recovering Doyle, the officer in command of the rescue crew decided to return to the ship. Then a. titanic struggle- commenced, which brought out ali the best that was in these sailors. Everything was enshrouded in darkness with the lights of the ship iri the distance. Several! miles separated, the boat and the steamer, and there were times when Mr Smith thought of abandoning the effort to tight their way hack to the Port Caroline and risk landing through the breakers on tho Patea- beach thirty or more miles distant. Gamely the, fight went- on, however, and gradually they fought their way, literally by inches, until they reached their ultimate goal. While the lifeboat’s crew were fighting to return to the ship those on board the liner were anxious foij their safety, and at times gave them up as lost. The liner had not- sutlicient way on to enable her to make manoeuvres to assist the lifeboat to return. EXHAUSTED ON THEIR RETURN. On their return the lifeboat’s crew were exhausted and l suffering from exposure. The majority of them were scantily clad, some Without boots, others with only a shirt and trousers. The men attributed their safe return ito the seamanship of the chief officer, whose presence of mind in time of danger probably averted disaster. The tremendous seas that were running when the lifeboat returned prevented it from being re-hoisted to the davits, and it was decided to tow it astern. The line.* proceeded slowly down the coast in the direction of Wanganui, hut at- 4.40 a.m. on Saturday the lifeboat broke away and was lost. The lifeboat, crew, with the exception of a few bruises and stiffness, appeared none the worse for their adventure the next morning, and were all at their posts at the usual time ready for their day’s duties.

“We were out on a heavy sea front 5.20 o'clock to 9.30,” said Mr. Smith, “and I might-say we had an exceedingly trying time of it. The boat was damaged during the fight with the seas. At one stage we almost gave up hope of ever regaining the Port Caroline, and entertained the thought of setting sail and making for land.” They got near Doyle on several occasions and threw him a iifebuoy. He appeared to get hold of it, but when they pulled it in they found that he was not at the end of it! After that they lost trace of the unfortunate man and prepared to make the perilous return journey.

Dovle had been signed on the Port Caroline at Wellington on the previous Wednesday, having been released from gaol for the purpose. He was released in view of the fact that he would shortly be leaving the country.